A Toronto police officer is facing charges after allegedly drawing his service revolver during an off-duty verbal dispute with two private security guards.
On Monday, the officer went to enter a private property on Unwin Avenue while driving his personal vehicle. However, a security gate blocked him, Toronto Police said Friday in a news release.
Two security guards at the gatehouse engaged the officer.
"During the conversation, the accused drew his police-issued firearm and pointed it in the direction of the security guards. The accused left the scene in his vehicle," police said.
Const. William Hamilton, 58, of Oshawa has been charged with the following:
- careless use of a firearm
- pointing a firearm
- use of weapons dangerous to the public peace
He had been scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Hamilton is assigned to 41 Division, which covers southwest Scarborough. He has 35 years with the service.
Mark Pugash, a Toronto Police spokesperson, told ctvtoronto.ca that Hamilton is still on duty, but is not out in public with a firearm.
"In the majority of cases, their jobs may change, but situations where they are suspended are relatively few and far between," he said.
Pugash said he only learned about the case early Friday afternoon.
