Nova Scotia Plans Major Policing Changes Eyes RCMP Role

Photo: Reuters

The government in Nova Scotia is planning big changes to the way police services work across the province. Justice Minister Becky Druhan said these updates are meant to make policing better, safer, and more modern for everyone in the community.

These decisions come after a full review that started in September 2023. That review was launched about six months after a serious and heartbreaking event—a mass shooting in April 2020 in central and northern Nova Scotia that sadly took the lives of 22 people. After that, many people began asking questions about how policing could be improved.

Now, the province is looking at giving the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) a bigger role. However, towns and cities will still be allowed to keep their own local police forces, but only if those forces meet all of the province’s new rules and standards. If not, they will have to switch to using the RCMP for policing.

Other major changes are coming too. The province wants to create one big police records system to replace the three different systems being used now. This will help officers share important information faster and more easily.

They’re also planning to create “community safety boards” to help local people be part of decisions about safety. More police officers will be hired, and more tools and support will be given to help police do their jobs well on the ground.

Another change will affect how towns and cities pay for police. A new billing system will be introduced so that everything is fair and clear.

These steps show the province wants to take strong action to make sure everyone in Nova Scotia feels safe and protected.