From the Communications Office
Reports of Police Jurisdictional Takeover Premature
(Thursday, March 4/99)-- Media reports today stating that Halifax Regional Police is preparing to takeover jurisdiction of the Herring Cove-Sambro-Pennants area from the RCMP are somewhat speculative, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dan English said today.
Mr. English, Deputy CAO responsible for Policing Services, said talk of any jurisdictional exchange is nothing more than an idea at this point-- there is no official proposal and the RCMP has not been approached by Halifax Regional Police regarding any such change.
The area in question, stretching from Herring Cove to the Pennants and back to the outskirts of Spryfield, is now patrolled by the Tantallon Detachment of the RCMP.
He said " This issue appears to have been taken out of context. HRM's police service providers-- Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP-- are always looking for ways to create efficiencies and cost-savings. They're always exploring joint-efforts to provide better delivery of policing services in all areas of the regional municipality. This latest idea is just one of many that gets raised from time to time."
" Many factors, such as overall policing numbers, service levels, community impact and costing must be determined before any formal proposal is put forward, " he said.
Mr. English said the HRM administration, Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP have an excellent working relationship and all parties are deeply committed to maintaining that partnership.
He said " Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP have co-operated on many joint efforts since amalgamation and there are lots of letters of praise for the other on both sides. We are very proud of the men and women who serve and protect, whether they belong to Halifax Regional Police or the RCMP. As far as the municipality is concerned, we are all one."
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Contact:
Dan English
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
490-4426
