**** SiRT Media Release
SiRT Exploring Options for Historical Investigation of Police
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The Interim Director of the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is actively seeking an independent oversight body to investigate whether there was criminal misconduct by the police during the period before the appeal of Glen Assoun’s conviction.
On September 8, 2020, then Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mark Furey asked the SiRT to investigate whether there was criminal misconduct by the police during the period before the appeal of Glen Assoun’s conviction. In March 2021, the SiRT engaged the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIOBC) to investigate allegations that the RCMP in Nova Scotia inappropriately destroyed evidence which was used in the 1999 wrongful murder conviction of Glen Assoun. The investigation was also to examine whether any member of the Halifax Regional Police committed any offence related to this conviction.
On April 18, 2023, the IIOBC provided notice that due to significant workload and resource issues that it would not be able to continue its investigation. Since then, the SiRT has been seeking another independent agency to take on this investigation. The Interim Director is committed to transparency and accountability and is actively exploring all options to ensure that an independent investigation is undertaken.
