Mother wants identity of WRPS officer who shot Beau Baker revealed at coroner’s inquest

The mother of a Kitchener man fatally shot by Waterloo Regional Police says she now knows the name of the officer that pulled the trigger and wants it made public at an upcoming coroner's inquest.

The officer's identity has been kept a secret since Beau Baker was killed in 2015 – and he's filed an application asking the courts to keep it that way.

Baker's mother Jackie tells 570 NEWS she learned the identity of the officer after seeing the legal documents, and says the community deserves to know who shot her son too.

Regional Police say several social media threats suggesting violence have been directed toward the unnamed officer in relation to Baker's death, and he is concerned for his personal safety. But Jackie says she feels like she's being blamed.

“To put the burden of this man's safety squarely on my shoulders is ridiculous and hurtful. I've never given any impression that I am like that in any way and neither have Beau's friends,” says Jackie. “They had a rally, they had a vigil …They were peaceful gatherings. Nobody threatened anybody.”

Police have not revealed who made these threats, but in a statement emailed to 570 NEWS, Inspector Mike Haffner says the service determined they were real. 

“Furthermore, and as a result, we support the Application from the involved member's counsel,” the statement reads.

An investigation by the Special Investigations Unit cleared the officer of any wrong doing, only confirming the officer is male. He now wants to use a pseudonym when he testifies to the coroner and inquest jury.

The inquest was called about two years ago, and Jackie thinks a date won't be set for at least another year because of the application. 

“The only way I've been able to describe it is like a very slow, constant drip over three years on my emotions,” she says. “This is a tactic to stall.”

You can read the full statement by WRPS below:

The Waterloo Regional Police Service/Chief has yet to be served the Application to protect the identity of the officer in relation to the upcoming inquest, although we will be asking the Court to be included in the proceeding. The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board and others (including your organization) have been served, and are parties to the Application.

Ultimately, this is an Application made on behalf of the officer through legal counsel.   It will be the Service/Chief's position at the Application, if we are granted standing, not to maintain secrecy but to protect the health and safety of its officers and the safety of the general public. The Service has a responsibility and duty to protect the public and, as an employer, the employees that work for the Service.

The Service has, based on numerous online and social media threats directed towards the officer, as a result of the death of Beau Baker, determined that the threats were real. In addition, the publication of the member's name would potentially put the member and their family in danger and/or targets of retaliatory attacks. This was the very basis and reason why as an organization, we never released the name of the involved member initially, and neither did the SIU and OIPRD.  Furthermore, and as a result, we support the Application from the involved member's counsel.

The Service remains committed to investigating any threats in relation to this incident and its members however, in this specific case, the officer is reluctant to initiate a criminal investigation as it would allow those perpetrating the very threats received to learn the member's identity and therefore increase the safety concern for the officer and family members.

We do understand the wishes of the family and are very sympathetic; however, the publication of the officer's name is not necessary to enable the inquest to do its job.  Information surrounding the circumstances of Mr. Baker's death and the ability for the Coroner's jury to make any recommendations can be accomplished without the name of the officer being made known.  The documents and evidence at the Inquest, that may be relevant, can easily be anonymized and provided to the coroner and ultimately the public through that process.  The Waterloo Regional Police Service fully supports the need for inquests and therefore the public's right to know what happened.

Please be advised as this is before the courts, the Waterloo Regional Police Service/Chief will not be commenting further.