Ontario’s police watchdog says new rules taking effect in the new year will change when investigations are required into officers’ use of so-called “less-lethal” or anti-riot weapons, including pepper ball guns, 40-mm launchers, and certain shotgun ammunition.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced Friday that, beginning January 1, it will no longer automatically investigate every incident involving the discharge of ARWEN launchers and similar weapons. Instead, police services will be required to submit an incident report, but the SIU will only investigate cases that involve serious injury or death.
The change stems from amendments to the Special Investigations Unit Act, which will remove the classification of certain devices as “firearms” when used in a less-lethal capacity. This includes ARWEN launchers, PepperBall launchers or similar irritant-projectile devices, and shotguns used exclusively with less-lethal ammunition.
According to the SIU, all current ARWEN-related investigations will continue, but incidents reported on or after January 1 will fall under the new rules.
“This change is expected to free up resources by allowing the SIU to focus its capacity on critical incidents,” the agency said, adding that it will remain mandated to investigate any case where the use of a less-lethal device results in serious injury or death.
The watchdog noted that incidents involving these weapons rarely lead to severe outcomes. Between December 1, 2020, and November 26, 2025, the SIU investigated 102 cases involving ARWENs or similar devices. Of those, 11 resulted in serious injury, and only one charge was laid — in a case that did not involve serious injury.
The SIU emphasized it will continue to investigate all incidents involving the discharge of traditional firearms, regardless of whether serious injury or death occurs.
Even when an SIU investigation is not launched, Ontario residents can still file complaints with the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency, which handles public complaints related to police conduct across the province.
Photo Credits : Insauga
