October 25, 2018
Doe v Baker 2018 ONSC 6240

An application was brought in the context of a mandatory inquest pursuant to the Ontario Coroner’s Act, following the April 2, 2015 death of Beau Baker, after the use of force by the applicant, John Doe, a member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

The police officer asked to be anonymous at the Coroner’s inquest, or alternatively for a publication ban on his identity. The inquest was called after the police officer shot the man seven times and killed him, while responding to a 911 call.

The man had made threats over the phone, threatening to kill himself and hurt others with a knife, including police. The SIU and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director both cleared the officer of any wrongdoing and redacted his name in their reports.

The officer argued that he was the subject of threats on Facebook and if he is identified at the inquest, there would be a serious risk to his and his family’s physical safety. The Court dismissed the application and found that no anonymity order or publication ban was necessary.