Halifax police to send certain closed sex assault cases to RCMP review committee
Halifax Regional Police has decided to send select sexual assault cases to an RCMP oversight committee for review, a move that has left some advocates disappointed and confused. The decision was made by the Halifax board of police commissioners, directing Halifax Regional Police to participate in the Nova Scotia RCMP’s sexual assault investigations review committee process for the next year.
The RCMP’s committee consists of civilian experts in health and sexual violence who review closed sexual assault cases where charges were not laid. They have the authority to recommend whether cases should be reopened and provide feedback on the handling of investigations by officers. Halifax Regional Police will now randomly select a few closed sex assault files, partially vet them, and share them with the RCMP’s committee for review.
Deputy Chief Andrew Matthews expressed confidence in the police force’s ability to learn from the committee’s feedback and improve their best practices. He mentioned that the transition would be smooth since Halifax cases are investigated by a joint sexual assault investigation team comprising both RCMP and HRP officers.
The board initially proposed a different oversight model called the violence against women advocate case review (VACR). This model involves a panel of civilian experts on sexual violence and reviews every sex assault file closed without charges. The VACR model is endorsed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and is considered best practice in the Canadian Framework for Collaborative Police Response on Sexual Violence.
However, HRP cited privacy concerns based on Nova Scotia legislation as the reason for not adopting the VACR model. While both models require civilian participants to sign confidentiality agreements, HRP was advised that sharing files directly with a VACR panel could pose legal risks. Sunny Marriner, national co-ordinator with the VACR model, expressed surprise at this decision and emphasized that the VACR model is compliant with privacy regulations.
Marriner stressed the importance of independence in the review process and highlighted the need for survivors to have confidence in the review’s integrity. She mentioned ongoing efforts to track the outcomes of VACR teams across the country, with some cases being reopened and leading to charges.
The report to the board revealed that there were 433 sex assaults reported in the Halifax region in 2023, with charges laid in 73 cases. This leaves 360 cases closed without charges that could be eligible for review by the RCMP committee. As of August 2024, 233 assaults had been reported, with charges laid in 22 cases, and 211 cases closed without charges.
The decision to involve the RCMP oversight committee in reviewing sexual assault cases reflects a commitment to improving investigative practices and ensuring accountability in handling such sensitive cases. While the choice of oversight model may be subject to debate, the ultimate goal remains the same – to deliver justice and support to survivors of sexual violence.
