On June 14, 2016 a 46-year-old male filed a complaint with the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) that excessive force was used against him by a male HRP member during an arrest on June 3. That arrest occurred on North St. in Halifax at approximately 1:50 a.m. after police responded to a noise complaint and had an encounter with the male.

HRP referred the matter to SiRT on July 18 after it was determined from medical records that the male appears to have suffered a punctured ear drum and possible non-displaced fracture of his jaw bone from the incident.  As those injuries meet the definition of serious injury, SiRT has opened an investigation into the matter.

The 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.

The team can independently 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 complaint from the public.

The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the result of the investigation within three months after it is finished.

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Source: Media Release