Investigation concludes officer’s actions were appropriate

An investigation into the suicide death of a Sydney man last September has concluded no charges should be filed against a Cape Breton Regional Police officer.

The investigation, by the province’s Serious Incident Response Team, was launched after an officer, who was not identified, fired his Taser at the 27-year-old man who jumped from an overpass on Highway 125.

“The SiRT investigation revealed the actions of the responding officer in using his Taser were done solely to immobilize and prevent the male from jumping off the overpass and onto the highway,” stated the investigation report that was released Wednesday.

The autopsy report indicated the cause of death stemmed from blunt force trauma to the body resulting from a 30-foot jump off an overpass.

“The death was ruled a suicide. In these circumstances, there are no grounds to consider any charges against the responding officer. In fact, his actions were meant to save the male’s life by firing his Taser,” states the report.

The incident occurred last Sept. 14 when police were called to a report of two men fighting on the Cow Bay overpass.

As noted in the investigation report, what appeared to be a fight was actually one brother trying to stop another brother from jumping off the overpass.

The first officer to respond to the scene saw one male pulling the other back from jumping over the overpass railing.

According to the investigation report, the officer correctly evaluated what was taking place, drew his Taser and fired at the brother who was making a second attempt to go over the railing.

“Despite the accuracy of the officer’s aim, the male was successful in jumping over the railing. Although vehicles travelling on the highway below were able to avoid the body, the unconscious male died within a couple of minutes from his jump.”

SiRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia.