Officer who shot Campbell refusing to speak to SIU

Focus of investigation not legally bound to speak, submit notes D’Andre Campbell was fatally shot by Peel Region police on April 6.

The Peel Region police officer who fatally shot a 26-year-old man at a Brampton home in April has so far refused to be interviewed by the Special Investigations Unit.

D’Andre Campbell was shot and killed by Peel police after officers were called to his home for a domestic incident on April 6, the SIU said. Campbell’s family has said it was Campbell who called the police and that he had a history of mental illness.

Soon after entering the home, officers encountered Campbell in the kitchen. During the incident, two officers used Tasers on him before one officer shot him multiple times, according to an earlier SIU statement.

In a Thursday update on its investigation, the police watchdog said SIU investigators have interviewed four Peel police officers as witnesses, as well as four family members. “The subject officer was invited for an interview, but he has not yet submitted to the interview nor has he provided his notes,” the release says.

An officer is designated a “subject officer” when he or she is the focus of the investigation. A subject officer can’t be legally compelled to present themselves for an interview and doesn’t have to submit their notes to the police watchdog.

From the scene, SIU investigators recovered “a knife, two conducted-energy weapons and firearm-related evidence,” and took possession of the subject officer’s firearm. A post-mortem was also conducted, and the SIU is awaiting that report.

The question of whether a subject officer should have to give an account of their actions to the SIU is centred on preserving the officer’s right to silence in an investigation that could result in criminal charges. Witness officers are required to provide the SIU with statements and their notes.

Former SIU director Howard Morton said he understands the legal basis for that position, but believes it is outweighed by the need for the public to have confidence that the SIU conducted a thorough investigation. Otherwise, public trust in both the police and the SIU’s ability to hold police accountable is undermined, he said.

“They are public servants who interact with the public on a daily basis and are often required to use various degrees of force. And if that results in a serious injury or death, then they ought to be required to give their account of what they say happened,” Morton said.