Cornwall Police Service

2022-07-21 - Statement from the CPS

Published on July 21, 2022

Cornwall, ON – The Cornwall Police Service (CPS) is aware of a video circulating on social media which depicts a physical altercation between officers of the CPS and a member of the public.

As a police service, we wish to be fully transparent with the communities we serve by acknowledging the events that took place and advise of the actions being taken as a result.

On July 14th, 2022 at approximately 8:00 pm, the CPS received a 9-1-1 call to respond to a theft at a Second Street business, in which the suspects had allegedly been assaultive towards staff members. Police attended and spoke to the suspects, being an adult and three youths. During this time, the adult became uncooperative with police and resisted arrest, resulting in a struggle. At this time, the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Police officers undergo extensive training to ensure a safe resolution of many types of incidents. They are authorized to use force in the execution of their duties to control resistant, assaultive or life-threatening behaviour, in addition to when defending themselves, other officers and members of the public. 

Chief of Police Shawna Spowart confirms that the Cornwall Police Service is in receipt of the video and is investigating the conduct of our officers to ensure that the response was in alignment with the policies and training provided to all police officers. She states, “We ask for the patience of the community as we gather the necessary information to inform our direction.”

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