SiRT says N.S. RCMP officer did not use excessive force during arrest

The SiRT logo is seen in an undated file photo.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) says they “found no reasonable grounds” that a Nova Scotia RCMP officer used excessive force during an arrest in a Cole Harbour garage this past summer.

According to the report from Erin Nauss, director of SiRT, police responded to a possible domestic disturbance in Cole Harbour on June 26. Officers found a man in a detached garage who gave them a false name.

The report says police identified the man, who had three outstanding arrest warrants, and told him he was under arrest. The man allegedly refused to open the door and the police opened it with force.

According to the report, the man resisted arrest and an officer brought him to the ground, at which point his elbow hit the cement floor and sustained a fracture.

“The entire incident was captured on body-worn camera footage, which was provided to SiRT,” the report reads.

The director said the officer’s decision to use physical force was “based on their perception and tactical considerations.”

“The call indicated that the situation was emotionally charged with screaming and yelling, and officers were aware the (man) had a history of violence and was wanted on arrest warrants,” the report reads. “He refused to comply with verbal communication and directions to open the garage door, and upon police entering he resisted arrest. The garage was a small space and contained tools and objects that could be used as weapons.

“I am satisfied that the use of physical force by the SO (subject officer) was reasonable force in the circumstances.”

SiRT investigates all matters involving injury, death, sexual assault and intimate partner violence that may have arisen from the actions of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick police officers.

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