A member of the Halifax Regional Police has been charged with assault following an investigation into an arrest last year.
The Serious Incident Response Team launched an investigation after a 34-year-old man who was arrested for theft on Aug. 22 complained about the arresting officer's conduct.
The police watchdog says it won't discuss the details of the incident because it is before the courts.
But it says police have the right to use reasonable force when arresting someone, and if the force is not reasonable, it is considered assault.
Forty-five-year-old Const. Derek Fish is due in provincial court in Halifax on March 23.
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