Chatham-Kent police have already had a positive outcome after officers were issued Naloxone (AKA Narcan) and trained to administer it.
On December 24, officers saved a woman who had used Fentanyl and prevented her fatal overdose with Naloxone nasal spray.
Chief Gary Conn admits there was some hesitation about using Naloxone because of liability issues surrounding a victim dying in police custody, but says saving that woman's life justifies its use.
"The SIU's direction is that they're still going to classify it as an in custody death and our officers still have to go through that, being a subject officer and a witness officer," says Conn.
British Columbia has already said it won't investigate its officers for a death in police custody after Naloxone is used.
Conn says no such incidents have occurred in Ontario yet.
Windsor and Hamilton police services have refused to outfit officers with Naloxone until the SIU follows BC's lead.
(Photo by Paul Pedro)
Conn says he weighed the pros and cons of using Naloxone and decided it was the best way to keep his officers safe.
"It became a health and safety issue for our officers. God forbid our officers are exposed to Fenanyl or Carfentanyl, which is airborne. They can administer the Narcan to themselves as well," the chief says.
Conn says he's pleased the province has started paying for the Naloxone kits, which cost about $9,000 to outfit all of his officers.
"They're not cheap and I'm very pleased with the result of this device and that the provincial government will be assisting us in funding it," Conn says.
