Halifax police could replace RCMP

Halifax regional council will be asked to expand the regional police force to cover the entire municipality, replacing more than 200 RCMP officers.

The recommendation is contained in a Board of Police Commissioners report obtained by the CBC. It will be presented to regional council behind closed doors on Monday.

Commissioners voted in late January for a massive expansion of the existing municipal force as their number one choice.

If that goes ahead, some jobs would disappear. More than 200 RCMP officers now serve Cole Harbour, Lower Sackville, Tantallon and along the Eastern Shore.

The board, made up of three regional councillors and three citizens, conducted a four-year review of police services in the region.

The police commissioners considered and ranked four options for the future of policing in the Halifax region. The board's second choice is maintaining the status quo.

All four options are scored out of 50. The expansion of the Halifax Regional Police force scored 42, while the status quo scored 40.6.

According to the confidential report, keeping things the way they are passes all of the criteria for quality.

But, the preferred choice, expanding the municipal force and replacing the RCMP, shows failing grades in several categories including community building and continuity of service.

Regional council will debate these options in closed-door sessions on Monday.

Mayor Peter Kelly said council could opt to expand the municipal force, keep the status quo or even ask for more study on the issue.

Halifax Regional Police refused to comment Thursday.

Chief Frank Beazley said it would contravene the Nova Scotia Police Act to comment on a matter that will be discussed during an in-camera session of regional council.