No Charges Warranted Against Cape Breton Police Officer

Just before 4 p.m., while travelling east on Reserve St. in Glace Bay, the officer observed a motorcycle driving in front of him pull a wheelie. The officer briefly turned on his lights and siren. The 23-year-old driver looked back at the police vehicle, and then sped off at a high rate of speed up the double solid line of the roadway.  After passing between vehicles travelling in both directions, the motorcycle crashed into a car turning left in front of it. The driver suffered very serious injuries and remains in hospital. The motorcycle travelled about 450 metres before the crash.

Many civilian witnesses confirmed that the police officer did not pursue the motorcycle, and GPS evidence confirmed his speed did not increase. At the time of the accident, the police vehicle was still behind the line of traffic passed by the motorcycle.

In this case there is no basis to consider any charges against the officer. He correctly chose to attempt a traffic stop. The unfortunate accident was the result of the decision by the driver to speed away instead of pulling over when the police lights and siren were used.

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 has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid after the conclusion of an investigation.

Media Contact:

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