Coroner’s inquest begins in case of Jamal Francique, shot by police in Mississauga

A coroner’s inquest into the death of Jamal Francique, a 28-year-old Black man shot by police in Mississauga, Ontario, has commenced. Initially scheduled for Thursday, the hearing was postponed by a single day. Francique was fatally shot during an attempted arrest on January 7, 2020, in front of his residence, and succumbed to his injuries in a hospital several days later.

Ontario’s police watchdog agency ultimately found no wrongdoing by the Peel regional police officers involved in the incident, attributing their actions to a genuine fear for their safety. However, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) raised concerns regarding certain aspects of the officer’s conduct, notably his decision to position himself near a fleeing vehicle. The SIU’s probe did not cover the investigations conducted by other oversight bodies.

The inquest will examine Peel regional police procedures and training, with a particular focus on use of force when dealing with vehicles, oversight of preplanned arrests, medical care provided to incapacitated suspects, and the issue of anti-Black racism. It is important to note that the inquest’s scope does not encompass legal culpability, as jurors in such proceedings do not assign blame but can offer recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.