City police used force 29 times last year

Sarnia Police officers filed “use-of-force” reports 29 times in 2019. Such reports are required when an officer draws, points or discharges a handgun, uses a weapon other than a gun, or is involved in an altercation causing injury.

Sarnia Police officers filed “use-of-force” reports 29 times in 2019.

Such reports are required when an officer draws, points or discharges a handgun, uses a weapon other than a gun, or is involved in an altercation causing injury.

In 15 of the encounters the other person had a firearm, knife or other edged weapon. One assailant had a broom and another a dog leash, a report to the Sarnia Police Board notes.

Officers discharging a Taser at a person five times and drew Tasers 10 other times.

One animal was shot and killed.

City police receive de-escalation training, and the number of incidents is small compared to the 25,000 service calls police received last year, the report notes.