No Charges Justified in Injury to Male at Enfield RCMP Detachment

The province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report about the July 4, 2014 arrest of a 45-year-old man in Enfield.

At approximately 2 a.m., a female member of the Enfield RCMP observed an intoxicated 45-year-old male walking along the Old Enfield Road in Enfield.  After a male member of the Enfield RCMP arrived, the two officers had discussions with the man. Given his state of intoxication they arrested him for public intoxication. The male was taken to the Enfield RCMP where he was to be lodged in cells. At one point he became aggressive toward the male officer, and then kicked toward the female officer’s abdomen, hitting her in the arm. The male officer took the male to the floor to control him and protect the officers.  When taken to the Colchester Hospital later in the day it was determined he had suffered cracked or broken ribs.

The evidence showed the police had the right to arrest the man. The force used by the officer at the Detachment to control the man was reasonable and justified as necessary to protect the officers. The rib injury was an unintended result of the man’s decision to physically attack the female officer. In these circumstances there are no grounds to consider charges against either 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: macdonrj@gov.ns.ca