Board of Police Commissioners

Special Statement from Commissioner Natalie Borden, Chair of the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners

The events surrounding the murder of George Floyd while in police custody have created scary and uncertain times for all of us.  These events reflect the historical mistreatment of Black people in the US, but as a Black woman in Nova Scotia I feel the sense of despair. We cannot forget that we in Nova Scotia also have a painful history of anti-Black racism.

At the same time, I feel a sense of pride.  Pride in the people who have demanded change. I couldn’t have imagined that I would hear the Premier say Black Lives Matter; see a Black Deputy Chief of Police in our municipality; have the Mayor, the CAO, the Police Chief, and HRP officers taking a knee during the protests; and see an apology from the Chief of Police to the Black community for past mistreatment.

The Board of Police Commissioners has been, and will continue, to work with both HRP and the Halifax District of the RCMP to improve policing in the municipality to ensure our city is safe and that all citizens can live without fear and worry, especially our Black citizens. 

We have heard from many citizens about their concerns and are hearing from increasing numbers over the last few weeks, and this feedback helps us fulfill our role including our work on the recommendations from the Wortley Report.

We support Chief Kinsella in following up on the apology of November 29, 2019 and the development of an action plan which will continue to focus on strengthening police community relations and includes full accountability for any case of mistreatment that comes to light.

This momentum cannot be lost. The Board is committed to bring about more positive changes and ensure they are sustainable.

Natalie Borden

About the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners

The Halifax Board of Police Commissioners provides civilian governance and oversight for the Halifax Regional Police on behalf of Regional Council. The Board also functions as a Police Advisory Board to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax District as it performs contractual policing services within the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The legislated mandate and responsibilities of Board of Police Commissioners is established by the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia, and set out in the Police Act [PDF], as well as the Board's Terms of Reference (By-Law P-100) [PDF].

The Board of Police Commissioners Policy Manual provides further information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Board in fulfilling its mandate to provide civilian governance and oversight of police services provided within the Halifax Regional Municipality. 

The Board of Police Commissioners normally meets on the third Monday of each month, at 12:30 p.m. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendar below, and the agenda (once available) to confirm the exact date and time for each meeting.

Find out what’s happening at board meetings and learn how you can participate. 

You can find meeting agendas and minutes online. You can also search for records of committee meetings.

Membership and biographies

Staff contact for the Board of Police Commissioners

Robyn Dean
Legislative Assistant
deanr@halifax.ca
902.490.6521

Commissioner Natalie Borden - Chair

Commissioner Carole McDougall

Commissioner Carlos Beals

Commissioner Tony Mancini

Commissioner Anthony Thomas

Commissioner Lindell Smith

Commissioner Lisa Blackburn

HRM Police Services Codes of Conduct 

Although the Board of Police Commissioners does not directly oversee the discipline of individual officers, or the day-to-day operations of the police services, they are mandated to provide civilian governance relating to the administrative and policy direction of the Halifax Regional Police necessary to maintain an adequate, effective and efficient police department. The Board also provides the same oversight in an advisory capacity for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax District.

The conduct of Halifax Regional Police employees is guided by the Halifax Regional Police Code of Ethics. [PDF]

Halifax Regional Police Policy on Street Checks [PDF]

The conduct of Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax District employees is governed by Part 4 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.

RCMP National Policy on Street Checks [PDF]

RCMP National Policy on Bias-Free Policing [PDF]

Police Diversity Working Group

The Police Diversity Working Group (PDWG) is a working group of Halifax Regional Police and the Halifax District Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is dedicated to fostering police organizational change through inclusion and respect while improving relationships between police and the communities through demographic, cultural and geographic representation. More information can be found on the Police Diversity Working Group's webpage.