A Nova Scotia police officer will not face criminal charges following an incident that left a suspect with serious injuries after crashing his truck during an attempted arrest in New Glasgow.
The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded its examination of the December 2023 confrontation, determining the officer's actions were justified under the circumstances.
The Dramatic Night Unfolds
According to the SIU report, the situation began when police responded to calls about a man making threats while armed with a weapon. Officers located the suspect in a truck and attempted to stop the vehicle.
"The subject officer positioned his police vehicle in front of the truck in an effort to block it from leaving," the investigation revealed. "The man then reversed his truck, striking a parked vehicle before accelerating forward and crashing into the police cruiser."
Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
The violent collision resulted in the suspect breaking his collarbone and suffering other minor injuries. Police immediately provided medical assistance and called for paramedics, who transported the man to hospital for treatment.
SIU Director Joseph Martino noted in his decision that "the officer's conduct fell within the limits prescribed by the criminal law" given the threatening circumstances and the need to prevent the suspect from fleeing.
Police Watchdog's Rationale
The SIU, which automatically investigates all serious incidents involving police in Ontario, determined several key factors in their decision:
- The officer had reasonable grounds to arrest the suspect for threatening behavior
- The use of the police vehicle to block the truck was a proportionate response to prevent escape
- The suspect's own actions in operating the vehicle contributed to the crash
- Officers provided prompt medical attention following the collision
This case marks another chapter in the ongoing discussion around police conduct and accountability in Nova Scotia, though the watchdog has clearly sided with the officer's judgment in this particular situation.
