Key Takeaways
- London Police charged Constable Brandon Mihalides, 29, with one count of assault with a weapon.
- The investigation followed concerns identified during a mandatory review of OC spray used during an April 29 arrest.
- The officer has been reassigned to non-operational administrative duties and is scheduled to appear in court on December 30, 2026.
Investigation Follows April Arrest
According to the London Police Service, the incident occurred on April 29, 2026, shortly before 2 a.m. A 33-year-old woman was placed under arrest by LPS officers.
Following the arrest, officers deployed Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as OC spray. The police service said the use of OC spray in Ontario is subject to mandatory use-of-force reporting requirements and a subsequent review process.
During that review, concerns were identified regarding the circumstances surrounding the use of force. The matter was subsequently referred to the LPS Major Crime Section to investigate possible criminal conduct.
Officer Charged With Assault With a Weapon
Following the investigation, Constable Brandon Mihalides, 29, of London, was charged with one count of assault with a weapon.
The London Police Service also confirmed that Mihalides has been reassigned to non-operational administrative duties. The charge relates to the circumstances surrounding the use of OC spray during the arrest.
The allegation has not been proven in court. As the matter is now before the courts, the police service said it will not provide further information at this time.
Police Address Oversight and Accountability
The London Police Service said public trust and confidence depend on effective oversight and accountability within policing. It stated that concerns regarding police conduct should be identified, examined objectively and addressed when appropriate.
The service also emphasized that police officers are expected to exercise their authorities professionally and lawfully. The comments were issued alongside the announcement of the charge and reflect the service's stated approach to reviewing concerns involving police conduct.
The investigation demonstrates how mandatory use-of-force reporting can lead to further examination when questions arise about the circumstances surrounding an incident. In this case, the review resulted in the matter being referred to the Major Crime Section for a criminal investigation.
Court Appearance Scheduled
Constable Mihalides is scheduled to attend court on December 30, 2026, in relation to the charge.
London Police Service has not released additional information because the matter is now before the courts. Anyone with information related to the incident can contact London Police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
TwikUp's Perspective
This case highlights an important distinction between internal police review processes and criminal investigations. A mandatory use-of-force review can identify concerns without itself establishing criminal wrongdoing. When potential criminal conduct is suspected, the matter can move into a separate investigative process, as occurred here.
The reassignment to non-operational duties also separates the accused officer from frontline policing while the court process continues. The eventual judicial proceedings will determine how the charge is addressed under the legal system.
For readers, the key development is therefore not simply that an officer was charged, but that the charge followed an established review and investigative process. The allegations remain before the courts, and the available official information should be understood within that legal context.