SiRT Concludes Investigation into Serious Injury Sustained During an Arrest in New Brunswick

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe members of the Saint John Police Force (SJPF) acted with excessive force during an arrest in Saint John, New Brunswick.

On the night of April 13, 2024, SJPF were called to a local hotel, where an intoxicated male was said to be causing a disturbance and was no longer welcome on the property. Four members of the SJPF arrived on scene where they found an adult male in the lobby who appeared to be intoxicated, was only partially clothed and was yelling.

The male was placed under arrest for public intoxication and causing a disturbance, he was brought to the police station. While being escorted to cells the male became combative. An altercation occurred and the male was brought to the ground. While on the ground, the officers placed his arms behind his back to maintain control. When he was brought back to his feet, there was a visible injury to his arm. The male was brought to the hospital to be assessed. It was later confirmed by medical records that the altercation with the police resulted in the re-injury of a prior fracture to his arm that was still healing.

On April 14, 2024, SiRT received a referral from SJPF and began their investigation. The Director’s summary report is available at: Publications - Public Safety.

SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of a public interest to be investigated that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

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Media Contact: Khalehla Perrault
                         Manager of Communications & Special Projects
                         902-717-3193
                         Email: Khalehla.Perrault@novascotia.ca