No charges recommended against two police officers

HALIFAX — The independent watchdog agency overseeing police conduct has cleared two Cape Breton Regional Police officers of any wrongdoing in connection with injuries sustained by a female.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) released its report Tuesday regarding a June 10 incident that resulted in serious injuries sustained by a 22-year-old female.

According to a release from the agency, regional police were called to residence by family members concerned a female was going to harm herself.

Police described the female as confused and incoherent and made the decision to arrest her under provisions of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act. The woman was transported to Cape Breton Regional Hospital for assessment.

In arriving at the hospital, the female fled custody, jumped over a pony wall and landed on the roof below. She regained her balance and continued running until she jumped off the end of the roof. She sustained two broken legs and two compressed discs.

SiRT investigators determined the woman’s injuries occurred as a result of jumping off the rooftop. Her decision to run was made in an effort to escape police. The officers did pursue the young woman but were unable to reach her before she jumped over the wall.

The final investigation report concluded there was no grounds for any charge against either officer. SiRT’s mandate is to investigate all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and domestic violence or other matters of significant public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia.