Nova Scotia police watchdog clears two Annapolis Royal officers of murder conspiracy and extortion allegations
The Serious Incident Response Team found no reasonable grounds to believe two Annapolis Royal Police Service officers committed criminal offences related to an alleged conspiracy to murder a local offender or extortion. Director Erin Nauss cited conflicting accounts, lack of independent witnesses, and no evidence that a plan was developed or executed.
Nova Scotia’s police oversight agency has cleared two Annapolis Royal Police Service officers of allegations that they conspired to murder a local offender and that one officer attempted to extort the other.
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe either officer committed a criminal offence. SiRT Director Erin Nauss concluded that while the allegations described a discussion, the discussion alone does not establish a conspiracy. No criminal charges were laid against the involved officers.
The investigation began after SiRT received a referral from the Chief of Bridgewater Police Service on May 15, 2026. A third officer had prepared a police occurrence report based on information provided by the first subject officer.
According to the allegations, the two officers met at one officer's home in May 2025 to discuss harming a well-known offender. They reportedly agreed to leave their phones in another room to avoid recording the conversation. One officer allegedly suggested an associate could "take care of" the offender and asked for the offender's address, while the other officer reportedly wanted to be present. Accounts of the meeting conflicted significantly, including disputes over who initiated it and which officer used specific terms such as "black ops."
During the investigation, Subject Officer 1 declined to speak to SiRT or submit notes, citing legal rights. Subject Officer 2 was interviewed twice and denied any intent to harm the offender. A civilian witness reported that Subject Officer 1 had been hospitalized and heavily sedated in May 2025, during the time the alleged meeting was said to have taken place.
The allegations also included a claim that in May 2026, one officer attempted to extort the other by threatening to release a recording of their 2025 conversation unless a work matter was resolved. SiRT found no evidence that such a recording exists.
Nauss noted that the investigation identified concerning conduct regarding interpersonal conflicts and police best practices. These concerns were shared with the Minister of Justice. However, due to conflicting accounts, a lack of independent witnesses, and an absence of evidence that a plan was developed or executed, SiRT could not substantiate the criminal allegations.