The number of public complaints against Chatham-Kent police jumped in 2020, but half of them were dismissed by the agency that handles public complaints around police conduct.
An annual report released this week showed that the number of public complaints increased from 17 in 2019 to 28 last year. All of them were for officer conduct, but the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), an independent civilian oversight agency that handles public complaints regarding police conduct in Ontario, dismissed 17 of them after some vetting.
Five complaints were also determined to be unsubstantiated after an investigation and two were withdrawn by the complainant, according to police. Police also said one police complaint is continuing, one was resolved but the misconduct was deemed minor and the outcome was agreed to by the officer and the complainant, and two other investigations were terminated after screening the complaint.
There were also 59 Chief's Complaint investigations last year, which is a drop from the 76 in 2019. Eleven were for discreditable conduct, six were for neglect of duty, and four were investigations conducted by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The SIU is the civilian oversight agency in Ontario responsible for investigating circumstances involving police that have resulted in a death or serious injury, or if a firearm was discharged at a person. The unit also investigates allegations of sexual assault.
The other 38 investigations generated internally by the Chief were for damaged or lost equipment, damage to vehicles, and damaged property where officers have had to enter for police or life-saving purposes.
Police said two Chief's investigations resulted in charges, one officer ended up being disciplined internally, one resulted in a Police Services Act disciplinary hearing, while seven others received informal discipline. Fifteen got warnings, nine were unsubstantiated, unfounded or frivolous, and 19 were resolved through policy changes or re-training. None of the Chief's investigations resulted in termination or resignation. Six complaints continue to be investigated.
Use of force among Chatham-Kent police officers was down last year from the previous year. There were 51 use of force reports filed in 2020, down from 75 the previous year. Police officers had to draw their firearms 34 times during an arrest, which is two more times than in 2019. Tasers were used seven times last year, half of the number from the previous year. Narcan was also used 42 times, which is double the number of 2019.
Police said no officer discharged their firearm towards a person for their own safety but firearms were discharged seven times to put-down dangerous or wounded animals, including five deer, one coyote, and one waterfowl.
Police Services Board Chair Pat Weaver said 2020 was an unprecedented year and thanked the entire service for its professionalism and organizational competency in managing a constantly shifting set of community needs.
"The only constant throughout 2020 was change and uncertainty," Weaver said. "But I believe we have emerged as a more compassionate service and a safer community. Needs will continue to evolve, and I am confident that this Police Service is ready and able to evolve with them to the benefit of our community."