RCMP Progress in Nova Scotia
On this page
This page provides information on the RCMP's progress in Nova Scotia to advance recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report. It is important to note that while this page describes progress specific to Nova Scotia, the RCMP continues to implement many of these changes in RCMP jurisdictions across the country.
For more information on the RCMP's broader progress to implement MCC recommendations, please visit the RCMP Progress Hub.
Efforts prior to MCC Final Report
The RCMP began addressing gaps and implementing improvements almost immediately after the mass casualty and throughout the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) proceedings. The following early actions were taken to improve RCMP policing in Nova Scotia before the MCC Final Report was released on March 30, 2023:
- Doubled the number of full-time resources on Nova Scotia's emergency response team
- Equipped all partner police agencies in Nova Scotia with capable radio communication encryption
- Implemented the Blue Force Tracking system across Nova Scotia to enable real-time location tracking of on duty police officers and enhance situational awareness
- Launched a new course on Collaborative Police Action on Intimate Partner Violence
Efforts following MCC Final Report
Since the release of the MCC Final Report on March 30, 2023, the RCMP has taken the following actions to improve RCMP policing in Nova Scotia:
2023
- Participated in a review of the province's policing structure, initiated by the Government of Nova Scotia (P.67)
- Updated national and divisional policies, including in Nova Scotia, to ensure compliance with provincial legislation regulating the possession of police uniforms and equipment (C.28)
2024
- Increased the use and training of the Alert Ready system in Nova Scotia (P.1, P.17, P.18, P.19, P.20, P.22)
- Senior leaders of the RCMP completed the Conflict Management for Police Leaders course created by the government of Nova Scotia. This week-long course focused on various subjects and topics designed to enhance interoperability and leadership skills for senior police managers (P.66)
- Conducted reviews of uniform and kit disposal processes for RCMP in Nova Scotia and implemented new policies and procedures for uniform and kit collection, transportation, destruction (incineration), as well as for ongoing monitoring. These structures and policies are aligned with and informed by the 2021 Nova Scotia Police Identify Management Act (C.28, C.29)
- Issued a new Uniform Dress Code Policy for the Nova Scotia RCMP that includes a requirement to annually track uniform and kit items (C.28, C.29)
- Signed a new Memorandum of Understanding between RCMP in Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (P.27, P.28, P.29, P.30, P.31, P.32, P.33, P.34, P.35)
- Updated Nova Scotia RCMP Alert Ready policy to ensure an all-clear message is sent to the public once a critical incident has ended (P.1, P.17, P.20, P.26)
- Worked with the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office to ensure that all RCMP Operational Communications Centre staff and other public safety answering points staff have access to 911 call recordings at their desk and receive updated training every two years or after extended leave periods. (P.11)
2025
- Secured funding from the provincial government to increase the number of intimate partner violence case coordinators from three to five (V.8)
- Received approval through the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners for two RCMP Intimate Partner Violence investigators for the Halifax area (V.8)
- Continued to improve information sharing of high-risk Intimate Partner Violence files across the province, including shared training between the RCMP and the province twice a year (V.6, V.10, V.12)
- Participated in the Nova Scotia comprehensive policing structure review (P.67)
- Improved recruitment efforts within Nova Scotia communities, including within African Nova Scotian and Indigenous communities (P.47)
- Began allowing RCMP applicants to identify preferred postings, which has supported more officers to return to Nova Scotia and has resulted in filling many of its vacant positions (P.47)
- Improved recruitment of experienced police officers from other agencies within Nova Scotia, as well as police officers originally from Nova Scotia, through the Experienced Police Officer Program (P.47)
- Date modified: