N.S. mayors concerned province ‘pushing’ municipal police out as government expands RCMP role
Several Nova Scotia mayors of municipalities with their own police forces are expressing concerns about the province’s plan to expand the RCMP’s role, potentially leading to the displacement of municipal departments. This move could result in worse service and less local control over policing.
Justice Minister Becky Druhan recently announced that Nova Scotia will transition to a provincial policing model, with the RCMP providing both local and specialized services for the province. However, municipalities can retain their own police forces if they meet higher standards, such as having access to underwater recovery teams or emergency response teams.
Mayor David Mitchell of the Town of Bridgewater, which has its own police force, questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision. He emphasized that municipal services are not only more cost-effective but also offer faster response times and greater local visibility compared to the RCMP. Mitchell expressed concerns that the push towards the RCMP could diminish the quality of policing in municipalities.
The review conducted by Deloitte highlighted dissatisfaction among rural and Indigenous communities with the RCMP’s performance, citing issues like slow response times and a lack of visible police presence. While the report recommended starting with the RCMP for the provincial policing model, some mayors like Mitchell and Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian worry about the potential financial burden of meeting the standards set by the RCMP.
Many municipal police forces in Nova Scotia have already established partnerships with other units to provide specialized services. However, the requirement for new contracts to go through the RCMP raises concerns about delays in accessing critical services. Mitchell underscored the importance of flexibility in allowing municipal forces to collaborate with capable police services to maintain high standards.
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, who previously worked for the RCMP, expressed confidence in the province’s decision-making process but emphasized the need for municipalities to deliver high-quality service within budget constraints. Mood highlighted the importance of community policing and the potential benefits of deploying community safety officers for non-emergency calls to free up officers for core policing duties.
The move towards a provincial policing model follows recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission, which scrutinized the RCMP’s response to the tragic events in April 2020. While some lawmakers advocate for a provincial police force to address cultural issues within the RCMP, others stress the importance of community-led decision-making in shaping the policing structure.
As the province embarks on this transformational change in policing, collaboration between municipalities and the province will be crucial in ensuring that communities receive the level of service they need and deserve. The ultimate goal is to enhance public safety while maintaining local control over policing operations.
