Province Reaches Tentative RCMP Contract

The RCMP will continue to be the province's provincial police force.

The province and Public Safety Canada have reached an agreement-in-principle on a new 20-year contract for RCMP policing services. The current contract expires March 31, 2012.

"We made significant progress on measures that improve partnership, accountability and cost-containment," said Justice Minister Ross Landry. "The RCMP provide quality service to the people of Nova Scotia, and I'm pleased that will continue."

The contract's language will be finalized during the next few weeks. Then the agreement will go to cabinet for approval. Details on the contract will be available after approval.

RCMP provide provincial and municipal policing in the province, along with federal responsibilities. There are 37 RCMP detachments and more than 1,500 employees in the province.