SiRT charges retired HRP officer with two counts of assault

Posted:

EN
On October 5, Halifax Regional Police received information about an alleged domestic assault by one of our retired officers and referred the matter to SiRT the following day as the officer was serving with us, though on a leave from work, at the time of the alleged offence. 
 
Earlier this afternoon, the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) issued a media release (see below) indicating they have laid charges against retired Constable Stewart Travis.
 
Allegations against our officers, whether retired or serving, are troubling. As can be expected, these situations are difficult for our police service and everyone involved.
 
---------------------------
ISSUED by SiRT
October 24, 2016
 
RETIRED HRP OFFICER FACES TWO CHARGES OF ASSAULT
 
The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding two recent allegations of assault against a former member of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP). Both incidents are alleged to have occurred before the member retired from the HRP on September 1st of this year.

SiRT was contacted by the HRP on October 6, 2016, who passed along information they received about the former member. As a result, SiRT commenced an investigation on that date. The investigation included interviews with the member’s wife, now separated from the member, and his step-daughter.

On October 21, two charges of assault were laid against Stewart Travis, a 52-year-old retired member of the HRP. One charge alleges that Mr. Travis committed an assault against the step-daughter on April 22, 2016, while the other alleges he committed an assault against his wife on May 26, 2016. Both are alleged to have been committed in Bridgetown, where the family resided.  Mr. Travis has been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Court in Annapolis Royal on November 24, 2016.

A complete copy of the report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.

SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.

Media Contact:

Ron MacDonald, QC
Director
902-424-8400 (o)
902-718-9707 (m)
Ronald.J.MacDonald@novascotia.ca