You are here

Cape Breton Regional Police Report Released

Dec
21
The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) released its report into allegations of obstruction of justice by a member of the Cape Breton Regional Police today, Dec. 21.
 
The SIRT investigation was initiated because of comments made by a person interviewed by police in October. Comments suggested that an officer may have inappropriately given information to that person about a potential search warrant in August. 
 
SIRT's investigation revealed that the officer, a supervisor with the force, did nothing wrong. 
 
During an investigation in August conducted by the Cape Breton Regional Police, the officer had to decide between two possible investigative options. One was to give approval to those under his command to attempt to retrieve stolen property by obtaining a search warrant, and then possibly charge the person in possession. The second was to work with the person in possession of the goods to have the items returned directly to the police, without charges being laid.
 
"The officer made a discretionary call to proceed with the second option. That decision weighed numerous factors," said Ron MacDonald, SIRT's independent director. "In the end, the goods were given to the police for return to the owners. This was a valid exercise of police discretion by a superior officer."
 
The report is available at http://gov.ns.ca/just/sirt.asp. 
 
SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing. Investigations are under the direction and control of the independent civilian director. 
 
SIRT can independently launch an investigation or begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a public complaint.
 
The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the results of the investigation within three months after it is finished. A copy of the summary is also to be provided to the Minister of Justice and the police agency involved.