You are here
Insufficient Evidence in RCMP Domestic Assault Allegation
The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding a February 3, 2017 referral from the RCMP. The RCMP reported an allegation that a male RCMP officer committed an assault against a female intimate partner in mid January, 2017.
SiRT interviewed two witness RCMP officers who were friends with the female. They indicated that on the evening of February 2, while the three were together socially, the woman confidentially gave them information about an argument she had a few weeks earlier with the male officer. They indicated she told them the male officer had grabbed her by the arms and shook her, causing bruising to her arms. A third witness officer gave information to SiRT, saying he had noticed the bruising, but the woman told him she did not know what caused it.
The woman was not prepared to be formally interviewed by SiRT. However, she did tell investigators that she had been drinking on the night the two officers spoke with her, and that she did not remember what she told the officers. She also denied ever being assaulted by the male officer.
The male officer did not provide a formal statement to SiRT. However, he did tell investigators that he did not grab the woman as alleged.
In these circumstances, there is insufficient evidence to reasonably believe an offence was committed. Therefore, there are no grounds to consider any charges against the male police officer.
A complete copy of the 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:
Ron MacDonald, QC
Director
902-424-8400 (o)
902-718-9707 (m)
