N.S. RCMP issue apology for historical use of street checks

Nova Scotia RCMP delivered a public apology on Saturday to African Nova Scotians and all people of African descent for the street checks and other harmful interactions of the past. 

Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, commanding officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, issued the apology at the North Preston Community Centre. It was livestreamed at eight other locations.

Daley acknowledged the long-standing impacts of the street checks that were banned five years ago. 

"I want to acknowledge and apologize for the far-reaching impacts of street checks," Daley said. "During our community visits, you told us 'our kids are scared' and 'enough is enough.' I'm sorry for the fear and mistrust we've created."

Street checks were a process that involved police interacting with or observing someone they thought could be of significance in a future investigation. Details such as the person's ethnicity, age, gender and location would then be entered into a database.

The apology process for street checks can be traced back to a CBC investigation in 2017 that found people of African heritage in the Halifax area were three times more likely to be stopped by police than others. A 2019 study by criminologist Scot Wortley found the likelihood was actually six times greater.

In addition to an apology, Daley also announced an action plan to help rebuild the fractured relationship between RCMP and Black communities in the province. 

'I recognize that words are hollow without action' 

"I recognize that words are hollow without action," said Daley. "We needed time to speak with those affected, and to develop a real understanding of the full impact of street checks. Through these discussions, we've been able to come to you today with a plan, and a genuine commitment to change."

Daley said the RCMP have made numerous commitments, including employee education around African Nova Scotian history and anti-Black racism, collaboration within Black communities spanning the province, an increased number of African Nova Scotian and other racialized employees, and supporting more race-based data collection for better transparency and accountability. 

The apology and action plan were informed by a steering committee that consists of community members and RCMP employees. The RCMP leadership team also attended 13 consultation sessions in African Nova Scotian communities leading up to the apology and the formation of the action plan. 

Wallace Smith Jr., a deacon at Saint Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, attended the event. He said local residents have been waiting for over a decade for an apology and action from RCMP.

He said that while the apology is long overdue, it means something that it finally took place. 

"It means a lot to the community, it means a lot to the church, it means a lot to the people of the Preston township ... and for us, it doesn't stop here. And my generation doesn't have to wait another decade to see change implemented in the system," Smith said. 

While the apology and plans for action were appreciated by people who attended the event, historical mistreatment by the police will not be forgotten. Some members of the community say they still have anxiety about police.

Rev. Allister Johnson, a resident of North Preston and pastor at Lucasville United Baptist Church, recalls his constant fear.

"We feared being stopped by police, not knowing what would happen to us," he said. 

Asiah Sparks, Halifax's first youth poet laureate, read one of her poems after Daley issued the apology. She also spoke about the lingering hurt still impacting the African Nova Scotian community that an apology cannot fix. 

"Street checks themselves have caused so much harm. It's not just the violation, it's also humiliation," Sparks said. "This apology, of course, is a step to move forward, but it will never undo the harm that has been caused to many of our communities. Scars still run deep." 

Smith says he hopes there will be real change to create more trust for a new generation. 

"Words mean nothing if action doesn't take place," he said. 

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.