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 , as well as the Board's Terms of Reference (By-Law P-100).
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.
Board of Police Commissioners' meetings are held in Accordance with Administrative Policy One, The Procedures of the Board Of Police Commissioners Administrative Policy [PDF]. The Board of Police Commissioners normally meets on the first Wednesday of each month, at 1:00 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.
Learn about the HRM Police Services Code of Conduct.
Learn about the Wortley (Street Checks) report and the Board of Police Commissioners.
The Subcommittee on Defunding the Police presented their report to the Board of Police Commissioners on January 17, 2022. Read the report and watch the meeting video. Learn more about the Subcommittee.
Board of Police Commissioners Review of Halifax Regional Police’s 2025/2026 Budget and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment (RCMP HRD) 2025/2026 Resource Request
The Board of Police Commissioners is in the process of reviewing Halifax Regional Police’s (HRP) 2025/2026 proposed operating budget and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment (RCMP HRD) 2025/2026 resource request. This review process includes an opportunity for public consultation at a virtual meeting. See the budget review schedule:
- December 4, 2024:
- HRP 2025/2026 Business Plan Overview - Presentation
- RCMP HRD 2025/2026 Business Plan - Presentation
- December 18, 2024:
- HRP Proposed 2025/2026 Operating Budget
- RCMP HRD 2025/2026 Resource Request
- January 8, 2025:
- Virtual public consultation on HRP’s 2025/2026 Proposed Operating Budget and RCMP HRD 2025/2026 Resource Request
- January 15, 2025:
- HRP 2025/2026 Operating Budget recommendation report to BoPC
- RCMP HRD 2025/2026 Resource Request recommendation report to BoPC
- BoPC review of HRP operating budget request and RMCP HRD resource request prior to BoPC vote on recommendations to Budget Committee
The agendas for each meeting will be posted online to the Board of Police Commissioners web page at Halifax.ca by end of day the Friday prior to each meeting.
Would you like to speak during Public Participation? The deadline to register to speak at January 8, 2025 virtual public participation is January 7, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
The contact for this meeting is the Municipal Clerks Office:
-email: clerks@halifax.ca - phone: 902.490.4210 - fax: 902.490.4208
PLEASE NOTE: All Board of Police Commissioners meetings will be audio and/or video recorded for the purpose of creating a record of the proceedings. If you do not wish to be recorded, do not sign up to speak; you can provide a written submission via clerks@halifax.ca.
News release – Release of the Halifax Independent Civilian Review Into August 18, 2021 Encampment Evictions
September 4, 2024 (Halifax, NS) – The Board of Police Commissioners for the Halifax Regional Municipality has discussed The Halifax Independent Civilian Review Into August 18, 2021 Encampment Evictions and have directed that it be provided to Regional Council for their review.
In terms of next steps, the Board has directed that Halifax Regional Police initiate an assessment of the Review and provide a report to the Board. It has also recommended that Regional Council request a report from the Chief Administrative Officer.
Read the full news release here.
Read The Halifax Independent Civilian Review Into August 18, 2021 Encampment Evictions here.
Statement from the Board of Police Commissioners regarding independent review
May 3, 2023 (Halifax, NS) – The Board of Police Commissioners for the Halifax Regional Municipality has commissioned an independent civilian review of the issues relating to the Board’s oversight, governance and policy responsibilities that arise out of the response by Halifax Regional Police (HRP) to protests on August 18, 2021.
Board of Police Commissioners Meetings
Membership and biographies
Staff contact for the Board of Police Commissioners
Andrea Lovasi-Wood
Legislative Assistant
lovasia@halifax.ca
902.240-7164
To submit correspondence, email clerks@halifax.ca. Would you like to learn more about correspondence?