Posted:
The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe a Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officer acted with excessive force during an arrest in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
On the night of September 17, 2024, two HRP officers responded to a call related to an alarm at a business on Windmill Road. One of the officers encountered an adult male in a back office with a computer monitor in his hands. The male did not comply with the officer’s orders and proceeded to put his hands in his hoodie and waistband of his pants. In an effort to subdue the male, the officer kicked the male on his left side and a struggle ensued. At this time the second officer entered the same room and deployed his taser. The male was then arrested and taken into custody.
Due to the use of the taser and the male’s apparent level of intoxication, Emergency Health Services (EHS) were called, and the male was transported to the hospital. The male was diagnosed with a ruptured spleen and lacerated kidney.
On September 17, 2024, SiRT received a referral from HRP and began their investigation.
The Director’s summary report is available at: 24-070 Summary of Investigation - Director Report.pdf.
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.
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Media Contact:
Khalehla Perrault, Manager of Communications & Special Projects