Article content Hayley Crichton, executive director of public safety and security with the Nova Scotia Justice Department, answers questions from reporters at One Government Place in Halifax about the release of a policing review on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentDruhan said the government will “increase our investment in provincial systems” to support the recommended changes but she couldn’t provide a timeline or a cost estimate of for completion of the work.Article content“These changes are going to be done in collaboration with municipalities,” she said. “Timelines and costs will be dependent on the outcome of that work and I can’t determine that at this time without the collaboration work being done. Article content“I can say we will be taking immediate steps on some of the recommendations. One of the first priorities will be the records management system. We will be taking steps for that immediately, other changes will take time.Article content“We’re talking months, not years.”Article contentA single records management system to improve data sharing and oversight will consolidate the capacity of three separate systems currently used across the province – Versadex by Halifax Regional Police, Niche RMS by Cape Breton police and PROS used by RCMP outside of Halifax and smaller municipal services.Article contentArticle contentMore than 7,000 Nova Scotians who took part in the police review through surveys, community sessions and written submissions informed the department that police visibility in patrols, at community events or at the local coffee shop is limited, most notably in rural communities. Article contentThe public engagement also found that people recognized that, as policing costs continue to rise, affordability has become a driving force in decisions about police resourcing.Article contentThere are 10 municipal police agencies in Nova Scotia and the RCMP provides policing services to all other areas of the province. Article contentPolicing services in the province are provided by about 1,890 sworn officers and 1,450 civilian personnel. Of that number, 960 of the sworn officers, more than half the total, are RCMP officers. The RCMP serves more than 665,253 Nova Scotians and covers 52,400 square kilometres. The 10 municipal forces serve a combined 370,453 people and cover 2,890 square kilometres, with Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality accounting for a combined 765 sworn officers serving 311,753 people over a 2,774 square-kilometre area.Article contentArticle contentThe province paid $190 million for policing services in 2024.Article content“While Deloitte has recommended a provincial police service model, we recognize and deeply respect the proud history and contributions of municipal police services across Nova Scotia,” Druhan said.Article content“These agencies have long played a vital role in safeguarding communities alongside Nova Scotia’s provincial police, the RCMP. In fact policing in Nova Scotia is a shared responsibility.”Article contentThe minister said municipalities are responsible for funding and maintaining an adequate, efficient and effective police service within their jurisdiction, including staffing, equipment and facilities.Article contentThe province is responsible for setting policing standards and for policing oversight.Article content RCMP officers are on scene following a weapons complaint at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“We are offering municipalities choices that will ensure public safety is paramount as we implement this new (billing) model together,” Druhan said, adding she will meet with municipalities over the summer to further discuss the changes.
Nova Scotia commits to foundational policing changes
