Chatham-Kent police is reporting their officers used force 145 times last year, more than double the 66 incidents where force was used in 2022.
Police noted the increase is largely due to new provincial reporting requirements which direct police to report incidents where a Taser is pointed, drawn or displayed.
Police data showed officers used their Tasers 56 times last year, an increase from the 13 times in 2022. It also showed officers drew or pointed their firearms 51 times last year, a jump from the 33 times in 2022, but didn't have to discharge them to protect themselves.
"In 2023, we had 39 incidents to report that were not required in previous years," said police.
Chatham-Kent police officers also had to use their firearms 20 times to destroy an animal in 2023, a hike from the 14 times in 2022. The annual police report showed 17 deer, two raccoons, and one fox had to be put down by officers last year.
Meantime, complaints against police officers in Chatham-Kent doubled from 15 in 2022 to 33 last year, all of them for conduct. However, the annual report showed most of them were either refused by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), an independent civilian oversight agency that handles public complaints regarding police conduct in Ontario (15), or were unsubstantiated (9).
Police data also showed three public complaints continue to be investigated, a minor complaint was resolved, and five complaints had their investigations terminated by the OIPRD.
Chatham-Kent police had a complement of 177 officers in 2023.
Internal Chatham-Kent police investigations approved by the chief dropped from 58 in 2022 to 41 last year. According to police, three were for neglect of duty, two were for discreditable conduct, one was for excessive force, and 35 were for collisions involving police cruisers, damaged or lost equipment, or damaged property in the course of duty.
Police officials noted 11 investigations continue, while most of the others ended up with either training, policy changes, or no action.
A few investigations wrapped up with either disciplinary action (6), or counseling or admonishment (2). No criminal charges were laid against Chatham-Kent police officers in 2023 as a result of a chief-approved investigation.
Many deserving officers and civilians were also recognized and celebrated for their achievements and accomplishments in 2023. Police said the police services board awarded three Police Services Board Citations, 58 Chief Commendations, and 16 Deputy Chief Letters of Recognition.