CBRPS Member Committed No Offence in Domestic Complaint

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has released its report after concluding its investigation into allegations against a member of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service (CBRPS) made by his former common law partner. The report finds that the complaint did not disclose any grounds for charges against the officer.

The female complainant called police on November 10 and 11 in relation to the officer. In the first call she alleged the member entered her home unlawfully and had taken her dog, some protein powder, and two pairs of her boots.  In her statement to SiRT she suggested that court orders prohibited the member from coming into her home.

However, the investigation demonstrated the home was owned jointly by the parties, and although the officer had moved out, it was still his joint property.  There were no court orders that barred him from entering the property.  The protein powder was used by the officer, and it was reasonable for him to believe the dog was jointly owned.  The dog was returned shortly after the complaint was made.  During the course of the investigation the woman found the boots in her basement where she thought they were taken from.

The call on November 11 arose when the woman was upset because the officer brought his father with him when he attended the home to pick up the couple’s child in accordance with his court ordered access rights.  Her complaint did not disclose any criminal offences.

As a result, there were no grounds to consider any charges against the 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
Director,  Serious Incident Response Team
902-424-8400
Cell: 902-718-9707
E-mail: ronald.j.macdonald@novascotia.ca