On November 10, 2020, Niagara Regional Police Det. Sgt. Shane Donovan filed a $2 million lawsuit against the Niagara Regional Police Board and the cop Donovan shot in defense of his own life, Constable Nathan Parker.

Donovan’s lawsuit seeks $500,000 in general damages, $500,000 in special damages, and $1 million in punitive damages and comes months after all charges against Donovan for shooting Parker were dropped.

“The Defendant board knew or ought to have known from past conduct of the Defendant Parker that this officer was violent, insubordinate and dangerous. As such they knew or ought to have known by their omission to take steps against the Defendant Parker that he could and would cause egregious harm and violence to others including members of the public and his fellow officers.

The Defendant board had ample notice and information about previous violence of the Defendant Parker yet wholly failed in protecting the public and/ or fellow officers and the Plaintiff Donovan.”

It’s no secret where I stand on this. I fully support Sgt. Shane Donovan.

Full Disclosure: I do not know Detective Sergeant Donovan, nor do I know much about him. But I do know a lot about Nathan Parker.

Constable Nathan Parker is a violent thug with a police-issued badge and gun whose propensity for violence is well-documented.

Nathan Parker should have been kicked off the police force years ago, but for reasons I’ll never understand, wasn’t.

2003: Constable Nathan Parker assaulted Wayne Penner inside a courtroom. Ten years after the assault, Penner won a Supreme Court judgment against Parker.

2006: Constable Parker was found guilty of using excessive force after he pepper-sprayed a teenager who was handcuffed in the back of his police cruiser.

2008: While off duty, Constable Parker threw a cyclist to the ground in a violent arrest not even Parker’s superior officer, Staff Sgt. Chris Scotland, could stomach. Scotland ordered Parker to drop the charges and release the cyclist unconditionally.

2011: Niagara Regional Police Constable Nathan Parker faces the music

2012: Hypocrisy Gone Wild: Niagara Regional Police Constable Nathan Parker files Human Rights complaint after being disciplined for police brutality

2019: Nathan Parker is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer, assault with intent to resist arrest, and assault with a weapon.

“He [Nathan Parker] feels he is being picked on by his employer and is the victim of bias.  His actions were those of a bully. He’s shown no remorse and is unapologetic. The actions of Const. Parker are an embarrassment to the whole service,”  said Niagara Regional Police Inspector Lorne Lillico, now deceased, during a disciplinary hearing.

“I was not surprised a bit,” said Wayne Penner. “They should have gotten rid of him a long time ago but nobody listened.”

“Nathan Parker is no innocent person,”” said Philip Parker, Nathan’s brother.. “I can tell you … that if he got shot, it’s because he made the other person fear for his life. He’s a frightening person.”

“My brother is a violent man. Niagara should have fired him years ago. Maybe the other officer will face real consequences. Then again, maybe he was defending himself from my brother and his uncontrollable rage. I was on the receiving end of that rage while growing up, so my assumption leans toward self-defence.”

From Sgt. Donovan’s Statement of Claim (view PDF):

Liability and Negligence of the Defendants

21. As to the negligence and negligent omissions of the Defendants Niagara Regional Police Board:
a) they failed to properly discipline the Defendant Parker on previous occurrences when they knew or ought to have known he was dangerous and violent;
b) they failed to properly train the Defendant Parker;
c) They failed to properly protect individuals from the Defendant Parker;
d) They hired and continued to employ the Defendant Parker when they knew or ought to have known he was dangerous;
e) They failed to properly supervise the Defendant Parker;
f) They failed to adhere to enforce or create policy to ensure the Defendant Parker was properly trained, disciplined or supervised;
g) They continued to employ the Defendant Parker when he was known to have an uncontrollable temper and abuse his authority to harm individuals;
h) They failed to warn other officers about this Defendant’s violent temper and use of violence, and to place measures in place to protect other officers or the public;
i) They failed to place restrictions on and control the Defendant Parker’s interactions with both the public and his fellow employees;
j) They hired the Defendant Parker without ensuring he had the requisite temperament to be a police officer;
k) They failed to engage in psychological testing of the Defendant Parker and review on a regular basis despite ongoing issues of violence and temper issues;
1) They provided the Defendant Parker with weapons including an ASP, and gun when they knew or ought to have known, he was too dangerous to carry or possess such weapons.
m) They continue to employ him when he was insubordinate, and failed to adhere to direct orders from his superior, policy and the law;
n) They negligently investigated the Defendant Parker’s prior behavior and complaints against him;
o) They failed to conduct drug testing when they knew or ought to have known that the Defendant was taking illegal steroids, which could affect his mood and temperament, causing a dangerous situation for his fellow employees and the public;

22. As to the deliberate and negligent torts of the Defendant Parker:
a) He tried to kill the Plaintiff Sergeant Donovan;
b) He deliberately repeatedly assaulted the Plaintiff Sergeant Donovan;
c) He threatened the life of the Plaintiff Sergeant Donovan;
d) He was insubordinate to the Plaintiff, Sergeant Donovan;
e) He failed to request someone to relieve him so he could leave his post;
f) He left his post unattended endangering the lives of fellow officers contrary to orders;
g) He had a temper control problem which he failed to advise about or seek help for;
h) He failed to advise that he was having psychological issues and hand in his weapons including taser, ASP and gun, to the Defendant;
i) He had ongoing issues of violence and temper control and failed to correct his behaviour;
j) He failed to follow policy and procedures;
k) He committed various assaults which he knew ought to have known was contrary to his duty and oath.
1) He filed a false report regarding this incident;