Investigation
Officer Charged with Assault & Breach of Trust
Date Published: 2018-06-28
Province: Nova Scotia
Police Agency: Halifax Regional Police
Summary
On March 4, 2018, SiRT began an investigation after receiving a referral from the Halifax Regional Police. The referral was in relation to the actions of Cst. Laurence Gary Basso in affecting an arrest on a 54-year-old man at the Metro Turning Point. SiRT concluded its investigation on April 11, 2018. On February 25, 2018Halifax Regional Police received a call for assistance from the Metro Turning Point. The call was in relation to a client who had been barred from the shelter for a period of 24hours but refused to leave the outside of the building. During the arrest, t he Affected Party (“AP”) was assaulted by Cst. Basso and sustained injuries that required medical treatment. During the investigation, SiRT took statements from two civilian witnesses and two witness police officers. Other evidence relevant to the matter was collected. Based on evidence gathered d uring the course of the investigation, reasonable and probable grounds existed to lay charges against Cst. Basso. On A…