Halifax police board endorses budget increases for RCMP, municipal force

Halifax's police board has endorsed budget increases for both municipal police and RCMP, saying the forces presented clear arguments for why the funds are needed.

During a meeting Wednesday, the city's board of police commissioners recommended that regional council approve Halifax Regional Police's request for seven new civilian employees costing about $462,300.

Halifax RCMP are asking for 14 new officers for new satellite offices in Beechville and Fall River, and an officer for the traffic unit this year, running about $2.6 million.

Most of the Halifax residents who weighed in on the budgets last week urged the board to reject any increases. Many said they had lost trust in how the forces deal with marginalized people, and the money would be better spent on housing, supporting people who are homeless, transit services, or libraries.

But board chair Gavin Giles said those kinds of decisions are out of the commissioners' control.

"Our responsibility is not so much in the guarding the expenditure of public money, as it is in ensuring a safe and just community," he said during the meeting.

"It would be difficult, if not impossible I suggest, given our statutory mandate, for us to make determinations about reduction of policing budgets and resources in favour of other aspects which we all know might serve to make our society kinder."

Coun. Becky Kent said she was "really glad" to see two of the new HRP positions would be victim services employees focused on domestic violence cases. Kent said the request is especially timely given the alarming number of women killed by their partners in Nova Scotia in the last three months.

"People that work within that department are skilled and experienced, and they're using a model that actually is sought after, I think, across the country," Kent said during the meeting.

Coun. Virginia Hinch, who represents Halifax's north end, said many people at last week's meeting spoke eloquently about their opposition to the budgets and negative experiences with police.

Hinch, speaking through tears at one point, said she has also seen first-hand how policing has impacted her own family and friends within Halifax's Black community.

"Sometimes it could be a little bit harsh, a lot harsh," Hinch said. "I've seen the bad side and somewhat of a good side, but more or less of a bad side."

But Hinch said she understands that police do have an important, difficult role in society and need to be properly resourced. 

Hinch voted to move the HRP budget increase to regional council alongside the rest of the board, but said she has yet to decide what she will do when it comes before council for a final decision.

"Which way I do decide to go, I need the public to know it is with great intention that I support the community — and that it's not always about being in the negative, or being in the wrong, or being on their side or this side," Hinch said.

"It's also being a good councillor, being a good commissioner, making sure that we're getting what we need."

The budget requests will come before regional council in February for final approval.

The police board also passed a motion Wednesday urging councillors to approve a proposed armoured vehicle for HRP that will come up in the overall city capital budget.

A number of commissioners said they feel the purchase would be important to protect police officers and the public in high-risk situations, like the shooting in August at the annual Africville Family Reunion.

CAO Cathie O'Toole told the board the municipality is still finalizing the make and model of vehicle that could be ordered, but the budget for the vehicle will be about $600,000.