Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jan 2008
Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Recorder and Times
Contact:  http://www.recorder.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216
Author: Michael Jiggins
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

BROCKVILLE CONSTABLE WOUNDED BY FELLOW OFFICER DURING DRUG RAID

A Brockville police constable is recovering this morning after he was 
shot in the leg by a fellow officer during a drug raid at an Abbott 
Street residence early Saturday morning.

Police said Constable Mark Heffernan was "accidentally shot" by a 
fellow member of the city force's emergency response team.

Heffernan's injuries were described as minor and he was treated and 
released at Brockville General Hospital.

According to Chief John Manoll, Heffernan was one of four ERT members 
who had entered the upstairs portion of the residence as part of the raid.

"A second officer had an accidental discharge of his firearm," said 
Manoll, noting the shot from the Bushmaster .223-calibre rifle came 
from behind Heffernan.

He would not describe the circumstances that may have caused the shot 
to be fired.

Manoll said only one round was discharged, which struck Heffernan in 
the lower leg.

"It's one of those phone calls you never want to get. E It's a bit of 
a gut-wrenching feeling," said Manoll of his reaction.

He said the safety wasn't activated on the rifle, which is standard 
practice for the emergency response team when they are conducting an operation.

City police are not releasing the name of the officer whose rifle was fired.

"I don't think it's relevant," said Manoll, who added the officer has 
not been suspended but has asked for a couple of days off.

"I'm assuming after his two days off, he'll be back to regular duty," 
said the chief, adding, "I think he's taking it harder than (Heffernan)."

Heffernan, who remains on crutches, has been into the police station 
since the incident, said Manoll.

"Other than crutches, you wouldn't know anything happened," said the 
chief when asked about Heffernan's state of mind.

Manoll said the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which 
investigates police-involved shootings, was contacted Saturday after 
the incident.

"They came down, evaluated the situation, spent some time with our 
people," said the chief, noting SIU investigators subsequently 
determined the incident was not within their mandate to probe further.

Staff Sergeant Scott Fraser is, however, conducting an investigation 
into the circumstances of the incident to determine if changes to the 
ERT unit's procedures are required.

Manoll stressed the team is trained to provincial standards and said 
no procedural changes have yet been made as a result of anything uncovered.

Brockville's emergency response team was at 36 Abbott Street on 
Saturday morning to assist with a search warrant as part of a joint 
forces drug operation known as Project Islander.

Police said three people were arrested in connection with the search 
of the home, which also resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cash and 
drug paraphernalia.

Manoll said suspects were still in the residence when the shot was fired.

Arrested were two males in their 20s - [Redacted] and [Redacted], 
along with a 17-year-old female. They will appear in court on 
February 8 in Brockville.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom