Investigation
SiRT Concludes Investigation into Death in Bedford, Nova Scotia
File Number: 2025-0026
Date Opened: 2025-02-28
Date Closed: 2025-11-19
Date Published: 2025-12-22
Province: Nova Scotia
Police Agency: Halifax Regional Police
Status: Concluded
Decision: No charges laid
Summary
On February 28, 2025, members of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) responded to multiple 911 calls regarding an adult male who was reported as being high on cocaine and acting out of control. Multiple officers located the male (the Affected Party/AP) near West Bedford School, shoeless and wearing only shorts, despite the temperature being approximately -10⁰ Celsius. The Subject Officer (SO) requested EHS on his way to the call, as he was familiar with the AP and knew that medical assistance was required in the past to sedate him. EHS was directed to stage for the call.
Officers attempted to speak with the AP and to offer help, but he did not respond. The AP was yelling into his phone and behaving erratically. He proceeded to clench his fists and start walking towards one of the officers, who feared for their safety, the safety of the AP and others on the scene. This officer deployed their Conducted Energy Device (CEW/Taser). It did not make full contact with the AP and was therefore not effective. The AP then started moving much more aggressively towards the officer who had just deployed the CEW. Another officer pulled her out of the way. At this time the SO approached the AP from behind and attempted to place him in a neck hold. Both the SO and AP slipped on ice and fell to the ground, with the AP landing on top of the SO.
Six officers then attempted to restrain the AP, who was resisting and exhibiting extreme strength. A seventh officer arrived and assisted in handcuffing him, and another officer placed flex cuffs around his ankles. The AP continued to struggle, but eventually his breathing slowed down and when officers checked his pulse there was none. Officers radioed again for EHS multiple times. They began CPR and went to retrieve an AED. Firefighters arrived with an AED and administered care until EHS arrived. The AP was transported to hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced deceased.