Police watchdog finds no wrongdoing after RCMP use Taser on veteran

The province's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has determined RCMP didn't do anything wrong when they used a Taser on a disabled Lunenburg County veteran.

SIRT is responsible for investigating serious events involving police in Nova Scotia.It started its investigation after CBC News featured a story about Bruce Webb ofBayport, N.S.,which contained a video ofRCMP use aTaser on him.

The incident occurred not long after Webb and hisfiance applied to have their restaurant, thePurple Leprechaun Roadhouse, turned into a lounge. The application, which asked for azoning variation,was opposed by people living nearby.

In retaliation, Webb allegedly played loud music from the business all day on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, the SIRT report said.

Neighbours called police to complain. RCMP officerswent to the house both evenings, disconnecting an outside speaker and seizingit as evidence.SIRTsaid Webb was uncooperative with police the first night and refused to speak or meet with the RCMP the second night.

Frequent 911 calls

Webb then began calling 911 to complain about the "theft"of his speaker. During the frequentcalls, he said he was a veteran in need of assistance, and reported seeing "stormtroopers in police uniforms."

Based on his strange behaviour and hisuncooperative attitude, officersfelt they had grounds to take Webb into custody under the provisions of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act.

Webb was in the Purple Leprechaun Roadhouse when police arrived to take him into custody.

He and hisfiance live above the restaurantand Webb uses the space as his living room after hours.

Once inside the building SIRT said Webb resisted attempts to place him in custody. Rather than use additional physical force, officers decided to use a Taser to subdue Webb. He was then taken for medical assistance.

The SIRTinvestigation determined force used in this case was reasonable and as a result, there are no grounds for charges against any police officer.

Video footage

Video from security cameras show RCMPbreaking down the door ofthe building and having a confrontation with Webb. Hetakes a swing at an officer and is thenknocked down.

The officer takes out his Taser and Webb tells him: "If you Tase me I may die. I have an implant."

Webb hastold CBC Newshe has an implant in his abdomen that's connected by electrodes to his spine.It helps mitigate chronic pain from a leg injury he sustained while playing sports in the military.

One of the officers is heard on tape telling Webb he is under arrest, citing "the Involuntary Psychiatric Act."After a further struggle with police, a Taser is used on the man.

Webb has been charged with assaulting a police officerand resisting arrest.