Truro Police Service Report Released

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) released its fourth summary report today, Nov. 23.

 

The report deals with the shooting of a suspect in a home invasion by a member of the Truro Police Service on May 17.

 

The complete summary investigation report can be seen at http://gov.ns.ca/just/sirt.asp .

 

In the report, SIRT's independent director Ron MacDonald, concludes there are no grounds to consider criminal charges against the officer.

 

On the morning of May 17, SIRT began an investigation, based on a referral from the Truro Police Service, after an officer shot a suspect in a home invasion. The investigation included analyses of significant forensic evidence, and interviews with medical personnel, police officers and 15 civilian witnesses.

 

The report shows that two people broke into a residence on Lyman Street, Truro, with a gun, and confronted one of the two residents. Police were called by the second resident, who was hiding upstairs. Police entered the home and observed a suspect with a gun running toward the back of the residence, attempting to escape. As he ran, a shot was fired. Police believed the shot was fired at them.

 

Two officers ran to the back of the building where they heard the suspect busting out of an upstairs window. He jumped onto an adjoining roof and then onto the ground. One officer could see he still had the gun.

 

The suspect was given several verbal commands to stop and drop the weapon by one of the officers, which he ignored. He then began to turn toward the officer with the gun in hand. The officer fired two shots at the suspect, one striking him in the abdomen and the other in the right knee. The suspect received immediate medical attention and recovered from his injuries after a hospital stay. He and the other suspect were sentenced in July to seven years each for the home invasion.

 

Witness and forensic evidence supported all of the above facts.

 

As a result, Mr. MacDonald concluded in the report that: "Any time an individual is deliberately shot by a police officer, there is a need for a very close examination of all facts surrounding the matter. The SIRT interviewed many people and spent several months investigating this matter. In the end, I conclude that the officer was justified in using his firearm to shoot the suspect."

 

SIRT 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 director. 

 

SIRT can independently launch an investigation or begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a public complaint.

 

The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the results of the investigation within three months after it is finished. A copy of the summary is also to be provided to the Minister of Justice and the police agency involved.