SiRT Concludes Investigation into Serious Injuries Sustained During Arrest

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe that Halifax Regional Police officers committed a criminal offence in connection with a serious injury sustained during an arrest.

On Sunday December 3, 2023, the SiRT received a referral from the Halifax Regional Police regarding an incident that took place in the early morning hours that day. While officers were investigating a break and enter and theft of a motor vehicle, they became involved in a high-speed pursuit with the suspect vehicle, which was driven by an adult male. During the pursuit, the male drove in the opposite direction on the highway, almost hit a police vehicle head-on, and later struck another police vehicle. The vehicle driven by the male contacted another police vehicle and stopped on a residential street. When officers attempted to arrest the male, he did not comply with police directions and appeared to be reaching for something in the vehicle. In order to effect the arrest, two officers struck the male, and he sustained a broken nose. The male was taken to hospital for medical care He was released into police custody and was charged with multiple offences.

The full report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca

The SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of a public interest to be investigated that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

Media Contact:

Erin Nauss, Director