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Police Acted Professionally in Case Where Man Jumped from Apartment

Sep
23

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report concerning the arrest of a 32-year-old man who was found by police injured and hiding under a car near his apartment building on Galaxy Avenue in Dartmouth on April 14, 2016.

On that date, three members of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) went to the man’s apartment because he was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant. They also wanted to speak to his girlfriend who was alleged to have stolen a cell phone. The police made initial contact with the male, and explained why they were present. They told the male that while he would be arrested they would not oppose his subsequent release. They also indicated the cell phone matter could be dealt with by the phone being returned.

As the police waited outside the male’s apartment they received information the male had jumped from an apartment window and was hiding under a car in a nearby parking lot. When they found him his leg was seriously injured, and the police contacted EHS immediately as a result. The male had suffered a serious fracture to his lower tibia.

The investigation revealed the male jumped out of the window at the request of his girlfriend, who was hoping that would distract the police from her. The police played no role in that decision nor in the injury suffered by the male.

The police acted professionally throughout and were simply carrying out their duties to arrest the male who was wanted on a warrant. There are no grounds to consider any charges against any 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)

Ronald.J.MacDonald@novascotia.ca