Peel police chief offers condolences after man fatally shot by police, acknowledges ‘issues of trust in policing’

Days after a police officer fatally shot a Black man in Brampton, Peel Regional Police chief Nishan Duraiappah issued a statement expressing condolences for the family of the victim and acknowledging "issues of trust in policing."

The shooting took place on Monday afternoon after police were called to a home in Brampton's west end with reports of a domestic incident.

Police entered the home, where they encountered 26-year-old D'Andre Campbell and got into an altercation.

After two officers used stun guns, one officer shot his firearm multiple times at Campbell, who died at the scene.

"I along with members of the Peel Regional Police express our condolences to the family of the deceased D'Andre Campbell, and recognize the tragic outcome. We acknowledge the impact this tragedy has on the lives of all those involved as well as the community as a whole," Duraiappah said in a news release. Friends say Campbell had been struggling with mental illness in the final years of his life, and that Campbell was the one who called police on Monday.

Although Duraiappah said he can't comment on the details given the ongoing investigation from the Special Investigations Unit, he acknowledged that the lack of information "deeply affects public confidence," especially given the "historic relations and issues of trust in policing in the community."

Duraiappah was sworn in as chief last October, making him the first person of colour to hold the office in Peel. In the years prior to his arrival, the police force faced a number of race-related controversies.

In 2017, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruled the police force racially discriminated against a decorated officer of South Asian heritage after he was denied a promotion and had to endure years of racial harassment from his colleagues and senior officers.

The tribunal also concluded last month that race was a factor when Peel police officers handcuffed a six-year-old Black girl at her school in 2016.

The police chief reaffirmed his commitment to work with community members and improve relationships in his statement.

"Key members of the Black community and the Peel Police Black advisory committee have seen positive changes in police and community engagement. The value of relationships will continue to be number one for myself and Peel Regional Police," Duraiappah said.

Correction: An earlier version of this article described Campbell as "unarmed." This has not been confirmed and is under investigation by the SIU.