No charges will be laid against the RCMP officers who responded to a mental health call in Happy Valley-Goose Bay five years ago, following an investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team.

The incident in question happened June 1, 2021 when police were called to a mental health situation at a home in the town.

A man, who is listed as AP – or affected person – in the report, was detained under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act.

The man later filed a complaint against the officers, saying they used excessive force. He says they placed him in a rear-naked choke, placed a foot or knee on his chest, and used a taser on him.

The man claims the situation exacerbated pre-existing neck pain and breathing and swallowing issues, and caused psychological trauma.

SIRT-NL says witnesses in the home did not observe the interaction with police, but they did “(establish) a context of escalating mental-health concerns,” which back up the need for police intervention.

The report also states that the man provided “inconsistent information regarding his medical history,” and that the alleged physical injuries were not documented when he was assessed at the hospital.

Given the seriousness of what the man claims, the report states that it is “reasonable to expect that such an injury would be documented at or near the time of the incident.”

Concluding that there are no grounds for criminal charges against the responding officers, SIRT has closed the file.