The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe a member of the RCMP acted with excessive force during an arrest in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

On June 26, 2025, RCMP in Cole Harbour responded to a 911 call of a possible domestic disturbance. Police were aware of previous domestic disturbance calls to this residence involving an adult male and the homeowner. The male also had multiple arrest warrants out for his arrest.

Police located the male in a detached garage on the property. The male resisted arrest and was brought to the ground. Multiple officers were required to restrain him in handcuffs. The male sustained a fractured elbow when he was taken to the ground.

SiRT received a referral from the RCMP on the same day and stared its investigation immediately.

SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of a public interest to be investigated that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer, on or off duty, in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

Media Contact

Khalehla Perrault
Manager of Communications & Special Projects
Email: Khalehla.Perrault@novascotia.ca