Charge Laid Against New Glasgow Police Service Member

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT)  laid a charge today, Oct. 24, of careless and imprudent driving under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act against Cst. Donald Wadden, a 29 year-old member of the New Glasgow Police Service.

The charge relates to an incident on April 26, 2013 when a Pictou County man suffered injuries in a collision with a police vehicle.

At about 9:20 pm that evening, members of the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Unit, consisting of New Glasgow Police Service and RCMP - Pictou County members, conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle at Exit 20 (Pleasant Valley) on Highway 104 in Pictou County, about nine kilometres west of New Glasgow.  The vehicle being stopped collided with the back end of a police SUV, and the 25 year-old male driver, suffered injuries and was taken to hospital. SiRT received a public complaint about this incident and in accordance with the Police Act assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Cst. Wadden’s first court appearance is scheduled for November 18, 2013 in Provincial Court in Pictou.

The Serious Incident Response Team is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is also solely responsible for decisions regarding the laying of charges.

The team can independently launch, or begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a complaint from the public.
 
The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the result of the investigation within three months after it is finished.

Media Contact:
 
Ron MacDonald, QC
SiRT Director
902-718-9707
macdonrj@gov.ns.ca