Province Commits to Public Safety Improvements Following Policing Review
The Province released the findings of the comprehensive policing review today, June 25.
The government will introduce six foundational changes and expand the role of the provincial police to improve public safety.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for the future of policing in Nova Scotia,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Becky Druhan. “We accept the recommendations that Deloitte Canada has brought forward and we are taking action to ensure every Nova Scotian – regardless of where they live – has access to high-quality, modern policing services.”
Two complementary documents that reflect the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and meaningful change in policing were released – the technical report from review consultant Deloitte Canada and Shaping the Future: Policing in Nova Scotia, which presents the findings from extensive public engagement as well as plans for policing in the province.
The six foundational changes being implemented to improve public safety are:
- establishing a single police records system to replace the three that currently exist
- adding community safety personnel
- ensuring appropriate policing staff levels across the province
- establishing community safety boards
- augmenting provincial police standards
- introducing a new RCMP billing mechanism for municipalities.
“Nova Scotians told us that the current policing model is not working. We are committed to building a stronger system of public safety where all police agencies operate at the same high level,” said Minister Druhan. “We will work with municipalities to chart a path forward, but one thing is clear – the status quo is not an option, and we won’t compromise on public safety.”
The Province will also move ahead with further strengthening of police standards, which every police agency must meet. The government will work with those that cannot meet the standards through expansion of the provincial police – currently the RCMP – which delivers policing services in most areas of Nova Scotia.
In September 2024, the Minister of Justice directed new policing standards for all police agencies in Nova Scotia; compliance audits on these standards will begin this fall.
Changes support safer communities, address key recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission’s final report and respond to public feedback received through the comprehensive police review.
Quick Facts:
- more than 7,000 Nova Scotians took part in the police review through surveys, community sessions and written submissions
- there are 10 municipal police agencies in Nova Scotia; the RCMP provides policing services to all other areas of the province
- policing services in Nova Scotia are provided by about 1,890 sworn officers and 1,450 civilian personnel
- the Province pays $190 million per year for policing services
- the current RCMP Provincial Police Service Agreement will expire in 2032
Additional Resources:
Both reports – Shaping the Future: Perspectives on Policing in Nova Scotia and the policing review report and recommendations from Deloitte – are available at: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/justice
Nova Scotia Department of Justice – public safety and security division: https://novascotia.ca/just/policing_services/
Nova Scotia Policing Standards: https://novascotia.ca/just/Policing_Services/standards.asp