Officers with the Saint John Police Force will not be charged after a man was injured during his arrest last year, according to a report from the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT).
Saint John Police Force responded to a report of an intoxicated man at a local hotel in the 100 block of Portland Street just before 11 p.m. on April 13, 2024.
SiRT says four officers arrived on scene and found the man in the lobby who appeared to be intoxicated, was not wearing a shirt and was yelling.
The man was arrested for public intoxication and causing a disturbance in a public place.
According to SiRT’s report, the man’s wife told police during the arrest that he had an injury to his arm that required surgery six weeks prior.
The man was taken to the Saint John Police detention facility where SiRT says he became combative when being escorted to cells.
“An altercation occurred and the male was brought to the ground. While on the ground, the officers placed his arms behind his back to maintain control,” reads SiRT’s report.
“When he was brought back to his feet, there was a visible injury to his arm.”
The agency says the man was taken to hospital where it was confirmed a previously fractured arm, which was still healing, had been re-injured.
SiRT says following a review of the evidence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe the officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the arrest.
“Upon review of the evidence, I am satisfied that the (officers) acted reasonably in the circumstances and their use of force was not excessive. They were dealing with an intoxicated individual who was acting belligerent at the hotel and at the police station,” reads the report.
“Considering this behaviour, it was reasonable for the officers to have safety concerns when the man had raised his arm and resisted while being escorted to the cell. It was necessary for the (officers) to take action to ensure the safety of the officers and the (man).”
SiRT is responsible for investigating matters involving death, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or other matters that may have arisen from the actions of a police officer in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.
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