Investigation
Self-inflicted injuries in police presence resulting in death
Date Published: 2014-02-19
Province: Nova Scotia
Police Agency: Halifax Regional Police
Summary
On May 10, 2013, Halifax Regional Police Services (HRP) received a call from a Fairview, Halifax apartment building Superintendent reporting that a female occupant, the Affected Person (AP), was “freaking out” and had smashed a window in her apartment. Two HRP officers (Officers 1and 2) went to AP’s apartment at 1:45p.m. After speaking with her for approximately 20minutes, they decided to take her into custody under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act (IPTA). While AP did resist, the officers were able to handcuff her and lead her out of the building. At the front door, they noticed blood coming from AP’s abdomen, and determined she had suffered a stab wound. They immediately called for Emergency Health Services (EHS) assistance. Upon arrival at the QE II Hospital, AP went into cardiac arrest. After being stabilized, she underwent emergency surgery to repair the stab wound, which included cuts to her liver and two major blood vessels. She lost a great deal of blood interna…