Cape Breton man pleads guilty to possessing police paraphernalia

A man from Cape Breton has pleaded guilty to charges under the Police Identity Management Act in Sydney provincial court, after pieces of police uniforms, guns and other items were seized from his apartment.

Pieces of police uniforms, guns and other items were seized in May 2023

Luke Ettinger · CBC News · Posted: May 01, 2024 12:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 3

An assortment of hats and clothing, many emblazed with the word 'police,' are displayed on a table along with weapons and ammunition. — In May 2023, Police said they searched two residences in Millville, N.S., and seized a number of articles of police clothing and equipment that appeared to be authentic, among other things. (Cape Breton Regional Police Service)

A man from Cape Breton pleaded guilty to charges under the Police Identity Management Act in Sydney provincial court on Wednesday.

In May 2023, Colin James Penny was the first person charged under the new Nova Scotia law when Cape Breton Regional Police seized pieces of police uniforms, guns and other items from his apartment following his arrest in Millville, N.S.

The act was created in response to the April 2020 rampage, in which a gunman masquerading as an RCMP officer killed 22 people. The act makes it illegal for people who aren't police to use equipment and uniforms to masquerade as police.

Penny was arrested on May 12, following reports of a domestic disturbance in an apartment building in Sydney, N.S.

He also faces weapons and assault charges, and is scheduled to appear in court for those charges next year.

Penny is set to be sentenced under the Police Identity Management Act in June.

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