SIRT investigates after mentally ill man injured

Nova Scotia's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating after Kentville police detained a mentally-ill man on Friday morning.

Matthew MacKinnon, who suffers from both bipolar disorder and schiznophrenia, called police Friday morning while he was at work at Apple Valley in Kentville. His sister, Lianne Griffin, said he believed drug dealers were coming to harm people at work, and he wanted to evacuate the building.

When police attempted to get MacKinnon to a hospital, a fight broke out between officers and the 31-year-old. A Taser was used on MacKinnon, and his leg was broken in the process.

“That’s what’s frustrating,” Griffin said. “All this force used to get him to the hospital, and then nothing is done.”

She said she wants to break down the stigma associated with people struggling with mental illness.

“These people with mental illnesses are just like everybody else,” she said. “They just need a little more help.”

MacKinnon is recovering from his injuries at Griffin’s house while SIRT investigates the allegations.