RCMP Officer Cleared and Report on Antigonish RCMP Officer Charged

The province's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has concluded that no charges should be laid against an RCMP officer who pursued a speeding motorcycle driver in Halifax Regional Municipality last summer.

At 11:30 p.m. on July 9, a Musquodoboit Harbour RCMP officer on his way to respond to a call noticed a 24-year-old motorcyclist in front of him. When the motorcyclist saw the police officer, he began to speed away, and the RCMP officer pursued him along Highway 7. The driver crashed while trying to turn onto the East Chezzetcook Road. He broke his collarbone and spent several days in hospital. RCMP contacted SIRT the next day to investigate.

SIRT has concluded that the RCMP officer acted appropriately. Although his speed at times was relatively high, the road was clear and driving conditions were good. The full report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.

SIRT has also released its report into allegations of domestic violence against an RCMP member in Antigonish. Two assault charges were laid against Const. Luc Louis MacInnis in October. He will appear for trial in Antigonish provincial court on March 28. This report is available on the SIRT website.

SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald.

The team can independently launch an investigation, or begin one after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a complaint from the public.

A public report summarizing the results of the investigation must be filed within three months after it is finished.