Bridgewater Police Cleared in Foot Chase of Suspect

The province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding the foot chase of a man suspected of shoplifting in Bridgewater on July 6.

At approximately 7:15 p.m., two members of the Bridgewater Police Service (BPS) were at the local Superstore in relation to an unrelated complaint. Store personnel then alerted one officer that someone had left the store with a cart full of unpaid merchandise. As the officer approached the 26-year-old-male he fled on foot.  Three members of the BPS chased him in downtown Bridgewater. The male was cornered on the roof of the old post office building. He jumped from the roof, and seriously broke his heel on landing.  Police called EHS, who arrived and transported the man to hospital.

The investigation demonstrated the police had grounds to arrest and a duty to attempt to capture the male when he ran. They had no contact with him prior to the injury. Rather, as the male admitted, he chose to jump from the roof on his own and accepted responsibility for his injury. In these circumstances, there are no grounds to consider charges against any officer.

The full 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:

               Ronald MacDonald, QC
               Serious Incident Response Team
               Director
               902-424-8400
               Cell: 902-718-9707
               E-mail: macdonrj@gov.ns.ca