Your Nova Scotia RCMP: 2024

Gender-based violence

Gender-based and intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex issue that requires a multi-jurisdictional, collaborative, and trauma-informed response. In 2024, the Nova Scotia RCMP’s efforts focused on working with agencies at many levels, such as the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, to promote stronger, more supportive programs and services for IPV survivors and their families. Officers participated in specialized training and our Victim Services team led, or participated in, provincial working groups that addressed high-risk cases, coercive control, collaborative case management, and other issues. We also took steps to increase the number of IPV investigators and case coordinators. In consultation with partners, we adopted a practice of confirming incidents of IPV where possible, and in discussion with the Crown, sexual assault investigations involving IPV are no longer split into two files, allowing survivors to give their statement and testimony only once.

Hate crime

The Nova Scotia RCMP’s Hate Crimes Coordinator engages in community outreach across the province and offers guidance on crimes motivated by hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. In 2024, the Hate Crimes Coordinator offered quarterly presentations and trainings on hate crimes to RCMP employees. And a document outlining best practices when dealing with hate motivated incidents was developed for officers, along with a national reporting tool. The Hate Crimes Coordinator also analyzes data to identify any hate crime trends within the province, while ensuring victims receive appropriate supports.

Human trafficking

In 2024, the Nova Scotia RCMP was involved in dozens of human trafficking files and conducted education sessions across the province. The human trafficking team welcomed new investigators in 2024, and many partnerships were forged, enabling survivors to access more supports as they exit unsafe, volatile, or exploitative relationships. Human trafficking investigators also worked to continue the success of inter-agency co-operation and knowledge sharing across Nova Scotia.

Internet child exploitation

The Nova Scotia RCMP investigates all incidents of online child sexual abuse in Nova Scotia, outside of Cape Breton Regional Municipality. In 2024, the Nova Scotia RCMP was involved in hundreds of investigations related to child pornography, sextortion, and child luring. A number of search warrants were executed across the province, resulting in multiple charges being laid. Investigators, who identify and locate victims nationally and internationally, were also involved in proactive investigations using real-time peer-to-peer software to capture child pornography being shared by offenders. The team, which includes covert investigators, has worked closely with municipal partners and the DoJ to increase the capacity to investigate child sexual offences province-wide; as a result, two Canadian Police College courses specific to internet child exploitation were offered in Nova Scotia.

Serious and organized crime

Much of the work undertaken by the Nova Scotia RCMP in 2024 focused on serious and organized crime, including gun violence. In the Halifax Regional Municipality, for instance, firearm-related homicides increased threefold compared to the previous year, rising from two in 2023 to six in 2024. And in March, the Integrated Guns and Drugs Unit intercepted a P320 Fire Control Unit while acting on information from the Canada Border Services Agency; this investigation resulted in numerous charges and the first seizure of a 3D-printed firearm. RCMP officers across the province were engaged in multiple investigations targeting habitual offenders and individuals involved in organized crime, as well as the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs, including Fentanyl.

Gender-based violence: Police investigate suspicious deaths

The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division investigated the deaths of two people found dead at a residence on Rockcliffe Drive in Enfield on October 18.

Working with the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, it was determined that a 59-year-old woman died as a result of homicide and that a 61-year-old man died from self-inflicted injuries. The man was responsible for the woman's death and the incident was the result of intimate partner violence.

The investigation was assisted by RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, Nova Scotia RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.

Gender-based violence: Meteghan RCMP charges man with sexual offences

Meteghan RCMP Detachment charged a Salmon River man with sexual offences.

On March 4, Meteghan RCMP received a report of child exploitation and began an investigation. Officers learned that a 25-year-old man had initiated multiple romantic relationships with female youth who were known to him.

The man was charged with Luring a Child (six counts) and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to Child (six counts). He appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court in April.

Hate crime: Halifax RCMP charges man in relation to a hate-motivated assault

RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment charged a 31-year-old Sackville man in relation to a hate-motivated crime in Middle Sackville.

On January 17, RCMP officers responded to a report of an assault that occurred outside a restaurant on Sackville Drive. Two men were involved in a verbal altercation and one man used racial slurs; the same man then assaulted the other with a sensory irritant before fleeing on foot.

Investigators charged the man with Assault with a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon Contrary to an Order. He appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court in February.

Hate crime: Antigonish County RCMP charges man after hate-motivated incidents

Antigonish County District RCMP charged a man in connection to hate-motivated incidents.

On July 24, RCMP officers received a report of a person causing a disturbance to a group in a public park; the incident had occurred the previous day. And on July 28, officers received a call of mischief at a mosque.

On August 12, investigators arrested a 69-year-old Antigonish man in relation to the incidents. He was charged with Causing a Disturbance and Mischief Motivated by Bias, Prejudice or Hate. The man appeared in Antigonish Provincial Court in October.

Human trafficking: Man arrested in Alberta for Nova Scotia human trafficking activities

The Provincial Human Trafficking Unit charged a former Nova Scotia resident in relation to historical human trafficking offences that took place in the Halifax area between 2007 and 2010.

As part of the investigation, named Operation Hypnosis, RCMP officers travelled to Alberta with an arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man. On March 7, they safely arrested him in Edmonton. He was charged with: Trafficking in Persons; Material Benefit - Trafficking; Procuring; Living of the Avails of Prostitution; Making Child Pornography; Sexual Assault; Assault; Uttering Threats; and Trafficking in Substance (two counts).

The man was remanded into custody and transported back to Nova Scotia by RCMP Air Services. He appeared in Halifax Provincial Court in March.

RCMP teams involved in this Human Trafficking Unit file include: Federal Operational Support; the Legal Applications Support Team; the Interview Assistance Team; and the Alberta RCMP. Halifax Regional Police, Edmonton Police Service, and Alberta ALERT also assisted.

Internet child exploitation: Digby man charged with child pornography offences

The Nova Scotia RCMP's Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit charged a Digby man with child pornography offences following the seizure of a child sex doll by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On October 8, CBSA officers in Hamilton, Ontario, seized a child sex doll that was addressed to an importer residing in Digby. Working with CBSA intelligence officers in Halifax, the seizure was referred to the ICE Unit for investigation.

On October 17, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at the Digby residence and seized additional child sex dolls and other evidence supporting both child pornography and smuggling charges.

A 43-year-old man was arrested at the home. He was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Importation of Child Pornography under the Criminal Code and Smuggling Child Pornography into Canada under the Customs Act. He appeared in Digby Provincial Court in January 2025.

Internet child exploitation: Springhill man charged with child pornography offences following multi-jurisdictional investigations

A Springhill man was charged with multiple child pornography offences following investigations that began in 2023.

In September 2023, the Nova Scotia RCMP's Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit received information from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police that a Nova Scotian had travelled to the United States to meet with a youth for sexual purposes.

In December 2023, the ICE Unit, with assistance from RCMP Digital Forensic Services and Cumberland County District RCMP, executed a search warrant at a residence in Springhill and seized electronic devices.

On March 7, 2024, the ICE Unit, with assistance from Cumberland County District RCMP and the Nova Scotia RCMP Interview Assistance Team, arrested a 26-year-old man and charged him with Luring a Child, Possession of Child Pornography, and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child.

In late March, the ICE Unit received information from HSI that the man was continuing to communicate with the youth victim, contrary to his conditions. This information prompted a joint investigation with HSI.

On May 15, the ICE Unit, with assistance of Cumberland County District RCMP, executed a warrant at the man's residence as part of that investigation and subsequently charged him with Uttering Threats, Criminal Harassment, Fail to Comply, and Intimidation of a Justice Participant.

On October 2, the ICE Unit received information that child pornography was transmitted via a social media platform, leading investigators, with assistance of RCMP Digital Forensic Services, Cumberland County District RCMP, and Cumberland County Street Crime Enforcement Unit, to execute a search warrant at the man's home on December 11. He was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Transmission of Child Pornography, and two counts of Fail to Comply. He appeared in Amherst Provincial Court in January 2025.

Serious and organized crime: Pictou County RCMP charge men with drug and weapons offences

The Pictou County District RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) charged three men following a search of two homes in Pictou.

On February 15, RCMP officers from Pictou County District RCMP SCEU, with the assistance of Pictou County District RCMP, Stellarton Police Service, and Westville Police Service, executed search warrants at two homes on St. Andrew's Street. At the homes, officers safely arrested three individuals and seized what appeared to be fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription medications, unstamped tobacco, and multiple unsecure firearms.

Two people, a 41-year-old man and a 47-year-old man, both from Pictou, were charged with drug and firearms offences. A third person, a 46-year-old man, also from Pictou, was charged with a drug offence and failure to comply. All three men appeared in Pictou Provincial Court in May.

Serious and organized crime: Southwest Nova Major Crime charge four people in 2022 homicide

The Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit charged four people in connection with the August 2022 murder of Barry Albert (Mosher).

Albert was reported missing on August 28, 2022, and his body was recovered on October 8, 2022, in Springfield. The death was ruled a homicide by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.

After a lengthy investigation and with the assistance of the Lunenburg District RCMP, Annapolis District RCMP, Criminal Intelligence Services Nova Scotia, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and Bridgewater Police Service, on April 14 and 15, the Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit and RCMP Police Dog Services, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, and the Halifax Regional Police arrested four people involved in the homicide.

A 32-year-old man originally from the Bridgewater area, a 44-year-old man from Dartmouth, and a 43-year-old man from Amherst were charged with Murder (first degree). A 25-year-old man from Conquerall Mills was charged with Accessory After the Fact. The men appeared in Annapolis Royal Provincial Court in April.

Serious and organized crime: RCMP locate man wanted on Canada-wide warrant for homicide

A man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for the homicide of Douglas (Bert) Knockwood was arrested in Montréal. The 29-year-old fled Nova Scotia after the July 2021 killing of 42-year-old Knockwood of Sipekne'katik First Nation.

On April 23, the man was added to the BOLO Program - Canada's Top 25 Most Wanted list, which led to a tip about a possible sighting in the Montréal area. And on April 26, the man was safely arrested in Québec without incident by the Québec RCMP's Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the RCMP Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit. He was charged with Murder (second degree) and appeared in Truro Supreme Court in May.

The investigation was assisted by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, Canada Border Services Agency, Sûreté du Québec, and the BOLO Program.

Serious and organized crime: Police charge man with murder for North Preston homicide

The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division charged a man with murder in relation to a homicide that occurred in North Preston.

On March 14, RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, with assistance from Halifax Regional Police, responded to a report of a shooting on Downey Road. The victim of the shooting, 18-year-old Dieago Downey, died in hospital as a result of his injuries; his death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators, with assistance from RCMP Forensic Identification Services, identified a 26-year-old man involved in the incident. On June 12, they arrested him in Dartmouth and charged him with Murder (first degree) and Attempt to Commit Murder. He appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court in July.

Serious and organized crime: Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit charge man in relation to 2022 homicide

The Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit charged a man in the 2022 homicide of 64-year-old Vernon Doucet.

On February 16, 2022, Meteghan RCMP responded to a report of a home invasion on Second Division Road in Concession. The homeowner, Doucet, was severely injured during the offence and later died in hospital. His death was deemed suspicious and the Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit assumed control of the investigation, with support from the Digby and Meteghan RCMP detachments, the Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit, Federal RCMP in Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team.

On June 24, after a 28-month investigation, RCMP officers arrested a 33-year-old Weymouth man. He was charged with Murder (second degree) and appeared in Annapolis Provincial Court in June.

Serious and organized crime: Cumberland County RCMP seize drugs, firearms, tobacco and stolen ATVs

On July 31, Cumberland County District RCMP executed search warrants at homes in Birchwood and Hansford. At the property in Hansford, officers seized more than 1,500 methamphetamine tablets, 150 oxycodone tablets, approximately a kilogram of crystal meth, 40 firearms, illegal tobacco, and six stolen all-terrain vehicles. In Birchwood, officers seized a stolen utility trailer.

Of the eight people arrested, five were later released without charges.

A 39-year-old man, wanted for being at large without excuse for parole violations, was turned over to a correctional facility. A 31-year-old Hansford woman was charged and appeared in Amherst Provincial Court in September.

A 39-year-old man from Oxford Birchwood was charged with a number of offences, including: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime; Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose; Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm; Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (three counts); Unlawful Possession of Tobacco Products; Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Order. He appeared in Amherst Provincial Court in August.

A ninth person, a 33-year-old man from Millbrook, was believed to have been at the Hansford residence prior to officers' arrival. He was wanted on a province-wide arrest warrant and later arrested.

The investigation was assisted by the RCMP's National Weapons Enforcement Support Team.

Serious and organized crime: Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit charge man with murder

On September 2, Annapolis District RCMP began an investigation when 55-year-old Esther Jones was reported missing to police. She was last seen at the Kingston Bible College.

On September 13, the Nova Scotia RCMP announced a murder charge in relation to Jones's missing person file.

With assistance of multiple RCMP units, including Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services, and the Tactical Support Group, along with members of Kings and Annapolis districts, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, investigators executed search warrants in and around Annapolis County, Kingston and Greenwood.

Through the course of the investigation, officers gathered numerous pieces of information and evidence and identified a 54-year-old Tremont man connected to Jones's disappearance.

Working with United States Homeland Security Investigations, the RCMP's liaison officers in the United States and Mexico, and the United States Customs and Border Protection team, investigators tracked the suspect's movements; he was detained by authorities in Texas and deported back to Canada, where he was arrested and charged with Murder (first degree).

The man was escorted back to Nova Scotia by the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit and appeared in Kentville Provincial Court in September.

Serious and organized crime: Valley Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit charges four people with firearm and drug offences

The Valley Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (VISCEU) charged four people with drug offences after a search warrant was executed at a home in South Berwick.

On December 6, VISCEU, with the assistance of Kings District RCMP, Kentville Police Service and the Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia, executed a search warrant at a home on Buchanan Road. At the home, officers safely arrested four people and seized a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, scales, cellphones, firearms, cash and stolen property.

A 51-year-old man from Berwick; a 35-year-old man from Waterville; and a 59-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man, both from Cambridge, were charged with numerous offences, including: Unauthorized Possession of Firearm (two counts); Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (two counts); Careless Use of Firearm (two counts); Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (over $5,000); Possession for Purpose of Trafficking (three counts).

The 59-year-old woman was also charged with Possession Contrary to Order, and the 33-year-old man was also charged with Failure to Comply with Probation Order. All four people appeared in Kentville Provincial Court in February 2025.

Federal policing: RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit and Truro Police Service disrupt drug group

After a three-month investigation, the RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit and Truro Police Service disrupted a crime group based in Colchester County. The group was trafficking cocaine and supplying cannabis to illegal dispensaries throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Search warrants were executed at three addresses in Colchester County and one address in Halifax Regional Municipality. The searches resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs and money. The drugs had an estimated street value at over $1 million.

A 35-year-old man from Beaver Brook was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and violation of a court order.

Federal policing: Two people charged following cross-border firearms investigation

Two people faced numerous charges after an international firearms investigation.

In January, the Nova Scotia RCMP's Federal Policing section received information from law enforcement officials in the United States that a Nova Scotian was attempting to purchase a prohibited firearm online.

On February 16, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a home in Millbrook First Nation; they seized 17 unsecured firearms and ammunition, two prohibited 9mm over-capacity magazines, computers, a 3D printer, filament, and tools for manufacturing firearms. More than 225,000 contraband cigarettes were also seized,

With assistance from Millbrook RCMP and the Service Nova Scotia Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel & Tobacco Division, a 51-year-old man and a 15-year-old youth, both from Millbrook First Nation, were arrested and charged.

The 51-year-old man was charged with a number of offences, including but not limited to: Contravention of Use, Storage, Handling and Transport Regulations; Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device; Possession of a Prohibited Device Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized; Selling Tobacco Products and Raw Leaf Tobacco.

The youth, who was in possession of a 3D printed firearm at the time of their arrest, also faced a number of charges, including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm; Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized; Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence; Manufactures or Transfers Firearms/Weapons Knowing It Is Unauthorized; Possession of Computer Data for Purpose of Manufacturing/Trafficking Firearm.

The 15-year-old appeared in Truro Provincial Youth Court in May, and the 51-year-old appeared in Truro Provincial Court in May.

Increasing diversity within the RCMP

Public service employee Jayasree Sreekuma attended the Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience at RCMP Depot. During her three weeks of training, she learned how to work as part of a policing team, received an introduction to the Criminal Code, participated in physical fitness and drill exercises, and gained valuable insight on the RCMP application process. The Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience program is focused on removing systemic barriers that impact racialized and underrepresented persons who aspire to join the RCMP.

Training for critical incidents

In May, the RCMP Emergency Management Section conducted Initial Critical Incident Response training with frontline supervisors in Port Hawkesbury and Bible Hill. The same training was held in Wagmatcook in November. These sessions help improve operational response during major incidents.

Apologizing for historical use of street checks

In September, Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, apologized to African Nova Scotians and all people of African descent for the historic use of street checks and other harmful interactions. An action plan that outlines ways the Nova Scotia RCMP is working to rebuild the fractured relationship with the province's Black community was also presented. 

Issuing body-worn cameras

In November, as part of the RCMP's national deployment, the Nova Scotia RCMP began issuing body-worn cameras to officers across the province. Body-worn cameras are complemented by a digital evidence management system used to store and manage video captured by the cameras.

Building a new detachment for Pictou County

Pictou County District RCMP announced the construction of Pictou County’s new RCMP detachment at a ground-breaking ceremony in Stellarton. The building, which is expected to be completed in 2026, is being funded by the provincial government and the RCMP.

Call-outs: Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services

Total

228

Halifax Regional Detachment

41

Northeast Nova District

96

Southwest Nova District

85

Other agency assists

6

Call-outs: Critical Incident Program (full-team deployment, which includes the Crisis Negotiation Team, Emergency Response Team, and Police Dog Services)

Total

37

Halifax Regional Detachment

18

Northeast Nova District

11

Southwest Nova District

7

Other agency assists

1

Call-outs: Critical Incident Program (Crisis Negotiation Team)

Total

45

Halifax Regional Detachment

21

Northeast Nova District

12

Southwest Nova District

10

Other agency assists

2

Call-outs: Critical Incident Program (Emergency Response Team)

Total

97

Halifax Regional Detachment

35

Northeast Nova District

26

Southwest Nova District

26

Other agency assists

10

Call-outs: Critical Incident Program (Police Dog Services)

Total

972

Halifax Regional Detachment

246

Northeast Nova District

390

Southwest Nova District

318

Other agency assists

18

Call-outs: Underwater Recovery Team

Total

17

Halifax Regional Detachment

7

Northeast Nova District

1

Southwest Nova District

4

Other agency assists

5