No Charges in Discharge of Firearm by Halifax Regional Police Officer

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has cleared a Halifax Regional Police Officer of any wrongdoing in the discharge of his firearm.

On September 3, Halifax Regional Police were investigating a complaint of a stolen vehicle. At approximately 7:45 p.m. officers located the vehicle with two occupants inside parked on Brule Street. Officers surrounded the vehicle, attempting to arrest the suspects. The driver, fleeing from police, struck several police vehicles with officers on foot nearby. At this point, one of the police officers discharged their service pistol at the vehicle.

Section 25(4)(d) of the Criminal Code of Canada provides for a peace officer to use force if the peace officer using the force believes on reasonable grounds that the force is necessary for the purpose of protecting the peace officer or any other person from imminent or future death or grievous bodily harm.

The actions of the driver in fleeing from police posed a threat not only to the SO, but to the other officers present, as well as the civilian population in the area. Therefore, the SO acted reasonably in those circumstances in his attempt to stop the vehicle.  

There are no reasonable or probable grounds for any charges against the SO.

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

Media Contact:

Felix Cacchione

Director

902-718-9707