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

On the night of April 7, 2025, HRP received a call regarding a disturbance on a Metro Transit bus in Halifax. It was reported that an intoxicated adult male on a bus was smashing windows and taunting other passengers. Officers responded immediately and confirmed that windows had been broken on the bus and the male responsible had left on foot. It was also noted by a witness that the male might be in possession of a knife. Officers located the male and told him he was under arrest. The male acted aggressively, bit one of the officers drawing blood, and resisted arrest. Multiple officers were required to subdue the male at which point he is believed to have been injured. The male continued to be aggressive in the police vehicle and while being held in the HRP Prisoner Care Facility. The following morning the male was brought to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken rib.

On April 8, 2025, SiRT received a referral from HRP and began their investigation.

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 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