Ceremony Marks Police Agreement

The provincial and federal governments marked a new provincial police agreement with a ceremony in Pictou today, April 13.

Justice Minister Ross Landry, National Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Chief Supt. Brian Brennan of the RCMP in Nova Scotia celebrated the start of the policing agreement.

"The RCMP have provided high-quality policing to Nova Scotia communities for almost 80 years, and I'm pleased that they will continue to keep our streets safe for the next 20 years as the provincial police force," said Mr. Landry.

Highlights of the agreement, which runs from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2032, include:

• more input and control for the province and municipalities over staffing levels, policing standards and detachment construction
• Nova Scotia maintaining a 70/30 cost-share arrangement with Ottawa for all municipalities in the province
• a new contract management committee that will review cost-sharing and cost-containment measures
• a two-year escape clause remaining for municipalities that want to opt-out and create a municipal police force
• clarification of financial and staffing processes

"The principle of this agreement is increased input into issues affecting the cost, quality and standards of contract policing before decisions are made at the federal level," said Mr. MacKay. "In renewing this agreement for the next 20 years, we have set the stage for a modernized police service model that will continue to be respected around the world."

The RCMP, as the provincial force, police 94 per cent of the land mass of Nova Scotia and 60 per cent of the population in 36 municipalities. There are 37 RCMP detachments and more than 1,500 employees in the province.

"Today is a proud day for the RCMP in Nova Scotia as we look forward to providing an exceptional service as the provincial police for the next 20 years" said Mr. Brennan.

The provincial force also provides specialized and centralized services so every community in Nova Scotia has access to major-crime investigators, emergency responses teams, dog teams, bomb disposal and other units.