HRP Officers Cleared in Death of Dartmouth Man

An investigation by the province's Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has concluded there are no grounds for charges against two Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officers in the death of a Dartmouth man. 

In the early hours of March 30, Halifax Regional Police officers responded to a call about a man who was inflicting self-harm. When police arrived, they were directed to a bedroom where they found an adult male on the bed with a large knife stabbing at himself.

The officers ordered the man to drop the knife several times, but he refused to do so and continued to harm himself by stabbing at his chest. Concerned for the man’s safety, the officers deployed their Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) in an effort to subdue him and allow EHS to provide medical attention.

The male was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed that the officers used their CEWs in an attempt to stop the male from harming himself and only after he refused to comply with their orders to drop the knife. The actions of the officers did not in any way harm or cause the man’s death. The autopsy report showed the cause of death was from a sharp force injury of the chest and throat and the death was ruled a suicide. In these circumstances, there are no grounds to consider any charges against the responding officer.

A complete copy of the report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca

Serious Incident Response Team 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 interim director Felix Cacchione, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.

Media Contact:

Felix Cacchione

Director

902-718-9707

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner oversees and monitors complaints and investigations involving the  alleged non-criminal misconduct of municipal police officers in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Police Review Board conducts hearings of complaints when the complainant has appealed the decision made by the police agency. More information is available at https://www.novascotia.ca/opcc