Minister Pays Tribute to Retiring Cape Breton Police Chief

Justice Minister Cecil Clarke thanked Dave Wilson, the outgoing Chief of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, for his leadership over the past year when there were the largest drug busts and greatest number of drug-related arrests in the island's history.

During Wilson's tenure, there was a concerted effort to target people responsible for the drug trade in Cape Breton.

In April, Cape Breton Regional Police seized $670,000 worth of cocaine in a Sydney hotel room after breaking up what they believed to be an organized crime ring. It was the biggest drug seizure made on the island.

That month, police also seized $250,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana at a home in Sydney.

Chief Wilson credited the months of hard work by the department's street crime unit for the seizures.

"Chief Wilson's impact will have long-term benefits for the people of this region. His success in tackling drug and related crimes has been phenomenal, including the safe streets and community unit and strategic partnerships with other police agencies," said Mr. Clarke. "I want to wish him well in his retirement and am confident the hard work will continue under his deputy, Myles Burke."

During Chief Wilson's command, 41 Cape Breton properties were investigated under the Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Act. Under that act, the Department of Justice's Public Safety Investigation Section can close residential and commercial buildings and land that are regularly used for illegal activities such prostitution, gaming, sale and consumption of alcohol, or production, sale or use of drugs.

In August alone, four properties with drug connections were shut down as part of Operation Bay Sweep, a joint operation with Halifax Regional Police which led to more than 100 charges being laid against 21 people.

The Cape Breton street crime unit was formed in 2007 as part the province's Anti-Crime Strategy. It integrates RCMP and municipal police who work collaboratively to target drugs, assaults, thefts and prolific offenders.

Fourteen new officers were added to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality under the province's Boots on the Street program, a $65-million commitment to provide 250 new officers across Nova Scotia by 2012.