Police officer demoted for using force says he was concerned for his safety
HALIFAX — A Halifax police officer says he considered whether he would ultimately need his weapon to save his life as he dealt with an agitated couple he had stopped on a highway near the city last September.
Const. Matthew MacGillivray took the stand Wednesday — the third day of his appeal hearing before the Nova Scotia Police Review Board.
MacGillivray, a former sergeant and 12-year police veteran, was demoted in January after a Halifax Regional Police disciplinary officer found that he had used unnecessary force and engaged in discreditable conduct when he stopped Graham Labonte and Angela Acorn of Belle River, P.E.I.
The 36-year-old said he carried out the traffic stop according to procedure, but things went awry after Acorn and the much larger Labonte got out of their silver Volkswagen.