A man has tragically died in police custody after an incident stemming from a call for service in Bedford on the night of February 28. Officers responded to the scene, located on the 70 block of Farringdon Way, at approximately 10:20 p.m. to assist a 37-year-old man experiencing what was believed to be a mental health crisis.

According to a statement released by the police, upon arrival, officers encountered the man, who displayed aggressive behavior. In accordance with their protocols, the police deployed a taser to subdue him. Following the deployment, the officers managed to gain control over the man and subsequently handcuffed him while they awaited the arrival of Emergency Health Services (EHS).

As they maintained custody of the individual, police soon noticed that his health was beginning to deteriorate. In an urgent response, officers initiated life-saving measures, which included the administration of naloxone, a medication used to counteract opioid overdoses. Upon the arrival of EHS and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency services, the efforts to revive the man continued.

Tragically, the man was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The circumstances surrounding his death led to an autopsy conducted by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner, which aims to establish the cause of death. This incident has raised significant concerns, as it comes just a week after another case involving police custody.

On February 22, a similar incident occurred when police responded to reports of a mental health crisis involving a 25-year-old man. In that case, measures were also taken to control the situation, and the man's health deteriorated as well. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The frequency of these distressing incidents has drawn attention to the treatment of individuals in mental health crises by law enforcement agencies.

In light of these troubling occurrences, both incidents have been referred to the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). The SiRT is an independent agency responsible for investigating incidents involving police officers where serious injury or death occurs. The referral signifies a commitment to transparency and accountability in the handling of these events.

These incidents highlight the critical need for improved responses to mental health crises by law enforcement and raise questions about the protocols in place to protect vulnerable individuals during such interactions. The community is awaiting further details from the ongoing investigations to understand the circumstances leading to these tragic outcomes.