The province’s indep­endent Serious Incid­ent Response Team (S­iRT) has commenced an investigation into a complaint from a member of the public that video on his cell phone was erased by a member of the Halifax Regional Pol­ice (HRP).

 

The matter was refer­red to SiRT on May 4, 2017 by HRP. They had received a compl­aint from the male alleging that he had taken video of his friend being arrested for public intoxica­tion on the early mo­rning hours of April 27, 2017, in downto­wn Halifax. The male was then arrested himself, also for pub­lic intoxication. He claims that when he was released from custody the next day the video was no lon­ger on his phone.

 

After some initial investigation, it has been determined the matter meets SiRT’s mandate as a matter of significant publ­ic interest. As a re­sult, SiRT has comme­nced an investigation into the circumsta­nces surrounding the video, including wh­ether it existed and whether any police officer tampered with it.

 

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. Inve­stigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald.

 

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.

.

Source: Media Release