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We need your help to keep the Cumberland RCMP!
Last month, Cumberland County City Council announced they will soon be accepting proposals for a potential new police service. This comes after the Police Services Review Committee finalized its public consultation report, which offered two options to move forward with the County’s police services. Unfortunately, Council selected the most disruptive and typically expensive option: to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for policing, which could result in the selection of a new policing service for the region.
Our Members believe in continually adapting services to meet their community’s evolving public safety needs, including Cumberland County. The report to Counci and public feedback indicated that any police service in Cumberland must provide:
- Reduced response times in emergency situations
- Increased police presence
- Increased public reporting on crime reduction
- Provide fair and equal treatment for all citizens
Cumberland RCMP have been working to continue to evolve and improve on all aspects of police service. Investment and improvement in RCMP service is less costly and disruptive, with far more certainty, than transitioning to a new police service which would cost more and not significantly improve public safety.
The Council Review Committee did not look in-depth at services currently provided by the Cumberland RCMP, who will take the opportunity to showcase their extensive policing services and programs.
You can take action today by sharing your support for our RCMP Members serving in Cumberland County. Click here to sign and send a letter to Cumberland County Council telling them you want to keep your highly specialized RCMP Members in the community they proudly serve.
By sending a letter today, you will help inform council about the positive impact RCMP Members have on the community each and every day across the County.
To learn more about the efforts of the RCMP in Cumberland County, read the National Police Federation’s full submission to the police services committee and visit our website: www.ournsrcmp.ca/cumberland.
Thank you for your continued support, together we will keep the RCMP in Cumberland Country!
2022 Polling Results
Earlier this year, we surveyed Nova Scotians across the province to learn what they think about policing in their community. Here’s what they found:
- 79% of Nova Scotians served by the RCMP are satisfied with the police service they receive.
- Only 13% of Nova Scotians would prefer the RCMP to have less control over local policing.
- 66% of Nova Scotians agrees that they benefit from the federal contribution of 30% of the cost of RCMP policing.
- 74% of Nova Scotians think policing in Nova Scotia needs to be better coordinated among various police organizations.
Members’ Actions at Onslow Fire Hall
Following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, regarding Member testimony from today’s Mass Casualty Commission proceedings.
“Today’s testimony regarding the events that took place at the Onslow Fire Hall clearly demonstrates that Members validly believed that the individual outside the Fire Hall, wearing a reflective vest and standing beside a marked police vehicle, was the perpetrator. They acted appropriately and in accordance with their duty to try to stop the threat.
Today’s testimony is best contextualized with reference to an expert and independent Use of Force Report requested by investigators from Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT). Joel A. Johnston’s report identifies that both officers feared imminent death or grievous bodily harm to others and themselves, and believed they had to use lethal force to stop the threat.
Specifically, the Report found that: ‘the tactics applied … were consistent with the law, and were consistent with the pure theory, the written principles, and the spirit of the Incident Management / Intervention Model (IMIM), with RCMP use of force policies and training principles, and with accepted police practices in Canada.’
The Report further explains that officers, ‘…were acting on reasonable grounds when they visually and audibly confronted the man in the orange and yellow vest – whom they believed to be [the perpetrator]. They did not simply stop and fire rounds at him.’
We stand by the actions of our Members who acted decisively in their efforts to protect Nova Scotians from an active threat. We also understand and acknowledge that this event was traumatic for all occupants inside the Hall, as well as another Member who bravely continued to guard his post and protect the occupants of the Fire Hall.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.
The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and supports for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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Media contact:
Fabrice de Dongo
Manager, Media Relations
fdedongo@npf-fpn.com
(647) 274-7118
Gunman’s Open-Secret History of Firearms Possession
Following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, regarding the gunman’s widely-known and long-time possession and use of firearms:
“Today, the Mass Casualty Commission presented important information about who knew what, and when, about the gunman’s possession, illegal smuggling, frequent use, and deep fascination with firearms. Surprisingly, we learned that this information was widely known by his family, extended family, neighbours, and other community members.
Despite the fact that our Members were advised in 2010 about threats of violence made by the gunman toward an immediate family member, as well as an unnamed third-party tip that he potentially had access to firearms, there was insufficient evidence to allow our Members to secure a Warrant to determine whether there was any truth to these allegations.
Policing is a highly regulated profession in Canada and police powers are strictly limited by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.
In Canada, police cannot search private premises without reasonable grounds and a warrant to do so, unless pressing circumstances are present. Obtaining a warrant requires an application to the Court, which is granted by a judge or justice of the peace, and only if the police have presented sufficient evidence to establish reasonable grounds to do so.
However tempting it may be to wish that such protections were not available to the perpetrator before he became a threat to our community, it is important to the integrity of our justice system that police adhere to their training and to uphold the law in all circumstances. Based on the information that was presented by the Mass Casualty Commission today about the nature of the reports that police received about the perpetrator’s firearms, our Members followed the law and their training.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.
The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and supports for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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Media contact:
Fabrice de Dongo
Manager, Media Relations
fdedongo@npf-fpn.com
(647) 274-7118
Final Minutes of Mass Casualty Rampage – Enfield Big Stop
Following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, regarding the final minutes of the perpetrator’s movements before he was stopped by RCMP members:
“Today, the Mass Casualty Commission reviewed the final minutes of the perpetrator’s movements before he was stopped by RCMP members.
The Enfield Big Stop foundational document detailed our Members’ close, dynamic, and persistent pursuit of a rapidly moving suspect, leading to them locating and identifying him at the Enfield Big Stop where they bravely and swiftly ended his rampage. The evidence confirmed that our Members eliminated the threat within moments of their encounter.
The NPF extends our deepest respect and gratitude to Constables Craig Hubley and Ben MacLeod whose actions very likely saved many lives.
The information presented today also made clear that the shots fired by Constable Heidi Stevenson— who encountered and faced the perpetrator alone in her final moments — also contributed to his demise.
Today’s presentation also marks the last of the foundational documents that detail the timeline of events over April 18 to 19, 2020. Throughout the preceding thirteen hours, our Members followed their training, repeatedly put themselves in harm’s way, and ultimately ended the murderer’s life to keep their communities safe.
There has been much armchair and unfair criticism of what our Members did or did not do during and beyond those thirteen hours. We know that each Member rose to the occasion, with the information available at the time, in an implausible and truly unthinkable situation, risking their lives to protect others in their communities. The NPF remains steadfast in our support of Members’ actions throughout and beyond the active threat.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.
The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and supports for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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Media contact:
Fabrice de Dongo
Manager, Media Relations
fdedongo@npf-fpn.com
(647) 274-7118
Mass Casualty Commission Reviews Death of Cst. Heidi Stevenson; Injury of Cst. Chad Morrison
Following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, regarding the Mass Casualty Commission reviews of the death of Constable Heidi Stevenson and the injury of Constable Chad Morrison:
“Our hearts will be with the family, friends, and colleagues of our fallen Member Cst. Heidi Stevenson and those of 21 other innocent victims as the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) today hears about Heidi’s brave actions and the circumstances surrounding her murder in the line of duty.
As the Commission hears evidence about Cst. Stevenson’s heroic actions to protect Nova Scotians on April 19, 2020, we pause and acknowledge the positive impact she created throughout her life and service with the RCMP.
As we have seen throughout the MCC proceedings, the wounds of grief are still open for all those impacted. Cst. Stevenson’s family, friends and colleagues share in that grief, as do we.
The NPF also recognizes the heroic actions of Cst. Chad Morrison who was shot while attempting to stop the perpetrator from killing more innocent people. Cst. Morrison and his family are also in our thoughts today, as we honour his service.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.
The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and supports for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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Media contact:
Fabrice de Dongo
Manager, Media Relations
fdedongo@npf-fpn.com
(647) 274-7118
Incident at Onslow Fire Hall
Halifax, NS — Following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, regarding today’s Mass Casualty Commission testimony about the incident at Onslow Fire Hall:
“The NPF acknowledges that the incident at Onslow Fire Hall was traumatic for everyone involved, and that the ongoing police response to an active shooter known to be murdering innocent bystanders made it difficult for this trauma to be properly addressed. We also stand by the actions of Constables Melanson, Brown, and Gagnon at the Onslow Fire Hall, who each acted to the best of their abilities to fulfil their duty to try and stop the killer, based on the knowledge, information, and resources available to them at the time.
The evidence presented by the Commission today demonstrated that Constables Melanson and Brown sincerely believed that they had identified the perpetrator outside the Fire Hall, and that they acted to pursue and subdue the threat after making numerous attempts and being unable to identify the person over the radio or using verbal commands. The information that they relied on included their own knowledge that the perpetrator was:
- wearing an orange or reflective vest, similar to the one worn by the person they could see in front of the Fire Hall
- driving a fully marked replica police vehicle, nearly identical to the one occupied by Cst. Gagnon
- expected to be traveling along the same route, after murdering two people less than 10 km away only 30 minutes before
- known to have a high-caliber weapon, and to be heavily armed, motivated and ruthless
- apparently shooting civilians indiscriminately when he came upon them and expected to attempt to evade police capture
A subsequent investigation by the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team found that “the totality of the evidence establishes that the [officers] had reasonable grounds to believe the person they saw, who was disobeying their orders, was the mass murderer who had, in the preceding hour, killed three more persons”.
We also support and recognize the actions of Cst. Dave Gagnon, who despite having been on the receiving end of friendly fire, resolutely and bravely continued to guard his post, protecting the occupants of the Fire Hall even while remaining a potential target for the killer.
The Constables checked on the occupants of the Onslow Fire Hall to confirm there were no injuries and then followed orders to continue pursuing the active shooter to prevent further loss of life. They self-reported the incident and fully cooperated in ensuing investigations.”
About the National Police Federation:The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.
The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and supports for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
-30-
Media contact:
Fabrice de Dongo
Manager, Media Relations
fdedongo@npf-fpn.com
(647) 274-7118