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.
Membership and biographies
- Commissioner Natalie Borden - Chair
- Commissioner Carole McDougall – Vice Chair
- Commissioner Tony Mancini (Councillor, District 6)
- Commissioner Lindell Smith (Councillor, District 8)
- Commissioner Lisa Blackburn (Councillor/Deputy Mayor, District 14)
- Commissioner Carlos Beals
- Commissioner Anthony Thomas
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.