OPP OFFICER FROM GRAVENHURST CHARGED WITH ‘CARELESS, RECKLESS USE’ OF FIREARM WHILE DISCHARGING GUN DURING MAY ON-DUTY TRAINING EXERCISE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

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ORILLIA — An OPP emergency response team member faces two charges of illegally discharging his firearm in a training session that did not require its use.

The Ontario Provincial Police professional standards unit (PSU) said Aug. 27 that it charged the officer in relation the on-duty incident that happened almost four months ago.

The OPP said in a release today that on Thursday, May 7, the officer discharged his firearm during a training exercise, where firearm use was neither required nor authorized.

They did not specify what type of weapon it was or just his service revolver.

As a result, the PSU launched its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On Monday, August 10, Harinder Thakur, 34, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

  • Careless use of a firearm, section 86 (1)
  • Reckless discharge of a firearm, section 244.2(1)(a)

Thakur is accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Thakur is a provincial police constable with seven years of service as well as a member of the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT).

He is currently suspended from duty with pay in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act.

He lives in Gravenhurst.

Harinder Thakur, 34, a seven-year OPP constable and member of their emergency response team, faces two criminal code offences charges after allegedly illegally discharging his gun during a training exercise while on duty.

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