News Release
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER
(March 4, 2009 (1 p.m.) - Justice Minister Cecil Clarke and Mayor Peter Kelly today announced the appointment of Superintendent Don Spicer of Halifax Regional Police as the Public Safety Officer who will lead and direct a co-ordinated response to the Mayor’s Roundtable Report and manage all resources that report to the Public Safety Office.
Supt. Spicer brings to the position extensive experience in community relations, crime prevention and community advocacy. In the late 1990's, he became the first officer-in-charge of Community Relations & Crime Prevention, building the section and its programs from the ground up. He later served as the Department’s Public Information Officer, building solid relationships with local media and disseminating timely and important crime and public safety information to the citizens of HRM.
In his role as Divisional Commander of Peninsular Halifax from 2005-07, Supt. Spicer forged strong relationships with various community groups and tenants’ associations, and helped to reduce crime and improve the quality-of-life for citizens. He is currently involved in a municipal-provincial initiative known as Safer Stronger Communities which strives to work collaboratively to strengthen community capacity and enhance public safety. Supt. Spicer also sits on two national committees, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Crime Prevention Committee and the Network of Canadian Municipalities.
“The appointment of the Public Safety Officer is taking the response to the Mayor’s Roundtable to the next level. Supt. Spicer’s community related experience is the perfect fit to lead and direct the Public Safety Office which will bolster crime prevention in our community,” says Mayor Peter Kelly.
“The Province is pleased to fund this position which is integral to bringing together all levels of government as well as community groups to address the root causes of crime by developing a holistic approach to crime prevention,” says Attorney General and Justice Minister Cecil Clarke.
As the Public Safety Officer, Supt. Spicer is tasked with addressing the recommendations identified in the Mayor’s Roundtable Report, the key themes of which are Sustainability Initiatives, Diversity, Provincial Partnerships, Community Engagement and Police Community Response. Supt. Spicer will also lead and direct the resources of the Public Safety Office which include Community Relations & Crime Prevention (Victim Services, Volunteer Services and School Liaison Program), Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team, Park Patrol, Traffic Unit and the HRM Community Response Team and have a total annual budget of $3.2 million.
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For further information contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010
Sherri Aikenhead
Department of Justice
(902) 424-3313
Cst. Jeff Carr
Halifax Regional Police
(902) 490-5016
