NAN Rejects SIU Report Clearing Police in 2024 Shooting of Bruce Frogg in Kenora
THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has issued the following statement rejecting the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report released today, clearing Ontario Provincial Police of criminal conduct in the 2024 shooting death of Bruce Frogg:
“Today we extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Bruce Frogg and the entire Wawakapewin community. The release of the SIU Director’s report into Bruce’s tragic death has caused tremendous grief and we are doing our best to support the family during this difficult time.
Bruce’s family has waited a year to learn the circumstances that led to a police officer taking his life. Immediately after Bruce’s passing, we expressed our expectation for a full accounting of what happened and vowed to hold appropriate people and agencies accountable for their actions. This remains our position.
Immediately after the shooting, when Bruce was shot three times, the officer who discharged their weapon commented, “I don’t know if that was the right call.” Unfortunately, this question was not answered in the SIU report that was released.
The report does not analyse why, when four separate officers had firearms drawn, only one officer discharged their weapon. The report also does not cite an example of a particular person who was specifically threatened such that Bruce needed to be killed. Beyond citing that the other witness officers were ‘on the brink’ of firing their weapons, the report neither analyses nor makes findings as to why only one officer perceived sufficient danger such that they chose to discharge their weapon.
There is also no analysis in the report on Bruce’s state of mind at the time, how his mental state could have led to his actions, or how officers are trained to respond to a person in emotional crisis.
We are familiar with the SIU investigative process, and do not see how this report could properly answer the question of whether an officer made “the right call”. We do not accept the SIU’s explanation of the circumstances that led to this officer taking Bruce’s life, and so we reject the conclusion that the officers’ actions were reasonable and justified.
The media and general public should be cautioned that SIU investigations are limited and often narrow in scope. They focus on specific actions taken by police at one particular point in time, and may not fully consider significant and broader systemic issues. We firmly believe that this is the case in this instance.
We believe the SIU’s investigation has raised more questions than answers, and that this process is severely flawed. We are working closely with the family and community to explore other avenues for justice.”
Bruce Frogg, 57, was living in Kenora when he was fatally shot by the Ontario Provincial Police on June 25, 2024, in Anicinabe Park. An avid outdoorsman, he is remembered fondly for his teachings and stories about the land.
Note to Media: The SIU report is available here. Out of respect for the families and communities involved, no further comment will be made at this time.
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca