Man bites officer during arrest and suffers broken rib: SiRT investigates

The province’s police watchdog is investigating after officers arrested an intoxicated man with a possible knife on a Halifax Transit bus.

It happened the evening of April 7, when Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officers responded to a report of a man being disruptive, causing damage to the bus and who could have a weapon.

Police found the man on Scot Street and Joseph Howe Drive. They described the man as “combative” who was “resisting” arrest, the press release from the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) reads.

“It required multiple officers to control the male. One of the officers was bitten and required medical attention,” officials said.

When they were able to restrain the man he was brought to HRP’s prison care facility where he continued to resist officers.

At some point throughout the process, the man sustained an injury and was brought back to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken rib. This injury is what prompted the SiRT to launch an investigation.

Its mandate is to probe cases that involve an officer and civilian resulting in an injury or death, or when a weapon is used.