Sgt. Brandon Smith with his loyal and dedicated partner Bingo.
No disciplinary action will be taken against a Toronto Police officer who shot a suspect who fatally shot beloved police dog Bingo last summer.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has ruled that the officer was justified in shooting the suspect who killed Police Services Dog (PSD), Bingo, last July 25.
On that evening undercover officers were at an apartment building at 290 Dixon Road searching for a suspect sought for the killing of a man in an apartment on The Queensway a day earlier.
Chief Myron Demkiw presents Bingo’s badge and leash to his partner Sergeant Brandon Smith.
“Aware of the man’s general location, police established a perimeter and called in a dog handler to help locate the man. Shortly after the dog entered some brush in one of the rear yards, the man fired his weapon and the dog was fatally struck,” according to a SIU release.
They said the suspect, who was hiding behind some bushes, fired his weapon several times at an officer and fled the area on foot towards Kingsview Boulevard.
Bingo being given his last ride and respect from fellow officers.
An officer returned fire and the suspect was shot and then arrested. The wounded man was taken to hospital in serious condition.
The killing of two-year PSD Bingo touched police and many city residents as the canine was involved in helping officers sniff out suspects in many cases.
A packed memorial service attended by hundreds of officers, including the Police Chief, was held for Bingo at Woodbine Banquet Hall on Sept. 22.
The suspect is before the courts.