Feb. 9. 2023, N.B./ N.S. – Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have reached an agreement on oversight for serious incidents involving police in both provinces.
The agreement ensures both provinces will benefit from the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team’s (SiRT) expertise and independent police oversight in the interest of public safety.
SiRT is an independent civilian-led agency that investigates serious matters such as death, serious injury, domestic violence, sexual assault or other public-interest concerns involving police.
“Expanding SiRT’s services enhances regional co-operation, promotes public safety and increases public confidence that investigations involving alleged police misconduct are done efficiently and professionally,” said Brad Johns, Nova Scotia Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
An agreement in principle for a Nova Scotia-New Brunswick SiRT was announced in September 2021. Since then, both provinces have worked together to ensure the appropriate legislative and policy frameworks are in place.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will share the costs, resources and benefits of the service. Additional resources include a new office in New Brunswick, as well as a new assistant director, three investigators and an administrator, who will all be based in New Brunswick. Bilingual Service will be available in both provinces. The Nova Scotia SiRT director remains responsible for the overall management of SiRT’s operations in both provinces and has the sole authority to decide whether a charge is laid.
Print this page
