No Charges Against Halifax Regional Police Officers

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has concluded its investigation regarding an allegation of assault made against officers with the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) in March 2022.

On March 20, 2022, officers responded to a domestic dispute involving a weapon at a local hotel in Halifax, NS.  When police arrived, they were directed to the room where the Affected Party (AP) was located. Police made several attempts to interact with the AP but were not successful.

Given the situation, the police Emergency Response Team (ERT) and a negotiator were brought in to assist in getting the AP out of the hotel room. Several calls were made to the AP’s room with no response. A short time later, without warning, the AP opened the door and exited the room.

The officers instructed the AP to put their hands up and get on the ground. This request was made several times, but the AP refused to comply with the demands of the officers. As a result, the decision was made to shoot the AP with a less-lethal projectile (plastic projectiles designed to inflict pain compliance and not cause serious injury). The projectile hit the AP but had no effect on the AP; subsequently, two more projectiles were shot at the AP. After the third projectile struck the AP, the AP complied with the officers demands and laid on the floor. The AP was arrested and taken into custody.

When the AP was transported to the police station, they mentioned that a previous leg injury had been re-aggravated by the actions of the police officers during their arrest and that they had also sustained injuries to their teeth, bicep, and groin area. The AP was offered medical treatment; however, it was refused at that time. Several hours later, the AP requested medical care and was transported to the hospital.

The investigation determined that the medical evidence, including x-rays, did not support the AP’s claims that the police had jumped on their leg, reinjuring it. There were no medical records of any injury to the AP’s teeth, bicep, or groin area.

Based on these findings, no charges will be laid against any of the officers.  

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 the independent civilian director Alonzo Wright who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid after the conclusion of an investigation.

Media Contact:

Alonzo Wright, KC

Director

902-222-3699