A recently released report on use of force incidents by Guelph Police Service is shedding new light on the tactics used in a September incident to take down an out-of-control male staying at a motel.
On Sept. 27 a man is alleged to have done $40,000 in damage to a hotel in the area of Gordon Street and Stone Road West. The man was believed by police to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
A use of force report that is presented quarterly to the Guelph Police Services Board is offering more detail on how police are saying the incident came to an end.
According to the report, officers from the Tactic and Rescue Unit attended the call to support neighbourhood patrol officers.
The subject allegedly cut through the door and floor of a second floor room and had made his way into another guest's room.
The report said officers evacuated the adjacent rooms and formulated a plan of action.
One officer held a ballistic shield while another officer held an ARWEN, a launcher that fires 37mm non-lethal rounds. Yet another officer had his service pistol drawn, while a fourth officer held a conducted energy weapon (CEW).
After unsuccessful attempts to negotiate, the officers entered the room when it was deemed safe. The ballistic shield was initially placed in the subject for control but he was able to become free and and attempted to flee before being tackled by other officers.
The report said there were no injuries to the man or to officers.
In a Sept. 28 news release, police said a search of the room uncovered more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale and over $3,000 in Canadian currency.
The man was charged with two counts of mischief over $5,000 and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
After allegedly telling officers he had consumer alcohol and crystal meth, the man was transported to Guelph General Hospital due to concerns for his medical well-being.
The incident at the hotel was one of six use of force incidents reported to the board for the last quarter, compared with 21 incidents in the same quarter last year. None of the reported six incidents involved the discharging of a firearm.
