Report Released in RCMP Cole Harbour Pursuit Crash

The province's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has concluded that no charges should be laid against an RCMP - Cole Harbour officer who pursued a motor vehicle last December.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., December 8, 2012, a vehicle fled from an RCMP checkpoint on Main St. in Westphal. It was pursued by a male officer. Less than a minute later it flipped while attempting to turn from Riley Road onto Cherry Brook Road. The driver suffered a broken jaw in the crash. He ran a short distance but was soon apprehended without incident.

The accident was captured on video by a Halifax Water Commission camera. While the driver felt the police vehicle struck his car just prior to the accident, the video indicates the police vehicle was nine seconds behind his car at that point.

SIRT has concluded that the RCMP officer acted appropriately in this instance. Although his speed was at times in excess of speed limits, the road was clear, driving conditions were good, and there is no evidence of contact between the vehicles.

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.