Back to SearchOngoing Investigation – Update #2
Charges are being laid against a Peterborough Police Service officer in connection with an off duty firearm incident on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the officer, who was off duty at the time of the incident, was arrested and charged with:
- Careless Discharge of a Firearm s. 86(1) CC
At approximately 6:40pm on December 31, 2025, an off-duty Peterborough Police officer attended the Peterborough Police station to advise that they had had an incident in their home in which a firearm had been discharged. Officers attended the officer’s home to initiate an investigation and ensure there were no ongoing safety concerns.
Shortly after the officer self-reported the incident, a 9-1-1 call was received from a neighbouring homeowner, who had returned home to find a bullet hole in their bedroom.
During the initial investigation, it was learned that a single round from a firearm had been discharged inside the home of an off duty officer which resulted in the bullet exiting the home and going into a neighbouring home. No one was home at the second house at the time of the incident, and no one was injured in either home. Forensic Investigators attended both homes to retrieve the bullet, to match it to the seized firearm and confirm the trajectory the bullet took.
The firearm involved in the incident was seized at the time. It had been recently purchased by the officer and was a legally owned personal firearm.
Police immediately made arrangements to notify the Chief Firearms Office of the incident, in addition to contacting the oversees manufacturer of the firearm to coordinate a functional test and examination of the firearm.
Other firearms in the home were lawfully transferred to possession of another individual not residing in the residence, in accordance with the Firearms Act.
As per available provisions of the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), the officer has been removed from their regular duties and has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the conclusion of the criminal matter. Once the criminal matter has been resolved, a professional standards misconduct investigation will take place.
“I recognize that anytime criminal charges are laid against an officer it impacts public trust and confidence. We understand that we must earn your trust and confidence through our actions each and every day. This is why we have been as open as possible throughout the investigation of this incident, including informing the community of the incident and investigation as well as consulting with outside agencies and the Crown Attorney’s office prior to the laying of charges. We are very much aware that there could have been a devastating outcome as a result of this incident, and we are thankful that no one was physically injured.” Stuart Betts, Chief, Peterborough Police Service.
The officer has been released on an Undertaking, with conditions, and is scheduled to appear in court on February 10, 2026
As this matter is now before the courts, there will be no further comment at this time.
Sandra Dueck
Manager, Strategic Communication Services
Peterborough Police Service
sdueck@peterborough.ca
705-876-1122 x217
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