Halifax Regional Police
Encyclopedia
The Halifax Regional Police is one of a number of law enforcement agencies operating in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
; the other primaries being the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
and the Canadian Forces Military Police
. The city also is home to a small detachment of the Canadian National Railway Police.
The force has a total strength of 615 sworn officers, 151 civilian staff, 170 crossing guards, 9 K-9 dogs and 2 horses. It is headed by Frank A. Beazley, Chief of Police. A household in the Halifax Regional Municipality typically pays around $21.12 (Canadian dollar
s )per month for police protection.
July 1813, was marked by widespread rioting and the Militia was called up to take over policing duties. They were discharged in February 1814, but quickly re-instated less than a month later when rioting resumed.
In October 1864 the Day Watch and Night Watch merged to form the Halifax Police Department under City Marshall Garrett Cotter. Six divisions were formed with five men assigned to each Sergeant. Halifax got its first Detective in 1873.
The Dartmouth Police Department was established in 1874 following the City of Dartmouth's incorporation the previous year. The town of Bedford didn't have its own police force until 1982.
With the April 1, 1996 creation of the Halifax Regional Municipality
, the police forces of Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford were dissolved and merged into the new Halifax Regional Police (HRP). Policing in the new municipality was split between HRP covering the boundaries of the former cities of Halifax and Dartmouth and town of Bedford, while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) covered rural areas in the rest of the municipality.
The patrol division has a special 8 car traffic unit, a park patrol unit, and a mounted unit (consisting of 2 horses named "Sarge" and "Cruise").
In addition to the visible patrol officers, the patrol division has several specialized units:
The Investigative Call Back Unit is responsible for contacting people involved in a police incident to ensure that all necessary information has been obtained or given out.
The Crime Analysis team monitors crime trends in HRM, allowing police to have a better understanding of crime in the community.
The Crime Stoppers Unit is responsible for obtaining information about a crime from the public. Anyone with information about a crime can call anonymously to give police tips that may help with their investigation.
The Polygraph
Unit is responsible for conducting polygraphs during the course of a police investigation, and during the hiring process.
The Forensic Identification Unit is responsible for collecting, analyzing and storing DNA evidence for the purposes of police investigations. This is a joint unit between the HRP and RCMP.
The National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) is a joint unit between RCMP and other police forces throughout the country, including the HRP. They focus on the illegal movement of weapons within Canada.
, break and enter
and auto theft. This unit also investigates cases of arson
, serious assault
, and firearms complaints.
The Drug Section is in charge of enforcing the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
. Primary focus is on street and mid-level drug trafficking, and also help with federal drug investigations. Drug awareness is also a priority for this section.
The Combined Forces Intelligence Unit is responsible for investigating organized crime. In addition to HRP and RCMP officers, this unit includes members of the Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA).
The Vice Unit investigates crimes of morality, such as gambling, prostitution, and pornography. The unit also investigates missing persons.
The Port Investigation unit are responsible for patrolling the lakes in HRM. The unit is also partners with the Coast Guard
and Ports Harbourmaster to patrol the Halifax Harbour, Bedford Basin, and Northwest Arm. The unit consists of about 20 HRP officers who patrol on jet skis and a Boston Whaler
.
The Computer Forensic Unit is responsible for gathering evidence in relation to computer hacking, internet prostitution and pornography, frauds, threats, and child pornography.
to serve on a United Nations
peacekeeping force in Kosovo
. Since then, 17 other HRP officers have served on peacekeeping missions in East Timor
, Kosovo, Sierra Leone
and Haiti
.
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
; the other primaries being the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
and the Canadian Forces Military Police
Canadian Forces Military Police
The Canadian Forces Military Police provide military police services to the Canadian Forces.Canadian Military Police are unusual in that they are classified as Peace Officers in the Criminal Code of Canada, which gives them the same powers as civilian law enforcement personnel to enforce Acts of...
. The city also is home to a small detachment of the Canadian National Railway Police.
The force has a total strength of 615 sworn officers, 151 civilian staff, 170 crossing guards, 9 K-9 dogs and 2 horses. It is headed by Frank A. Beazley, Chief of Police. A household in the Halifax Regional Municipality typically pays around $21.12 (Canadian dollar
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s )per month for police protection.
History
The Halifax Police Department was officially formed on October 28, 1864, although a system of constables had been operated in an unofficial manner since the first days of settlement, on July 18, 1749. Each ship arriving in the port city of Halifax would appoint one member of the crew to act as a constable responsible for the actions of the crew and passengers on board. In January 1799, the "Night Patrol" was formed to address a number of break and enters that hit the area in the previous year.July 1813, was marked by widespread rioting and the Militia was called up to take over policing duties. They were discharged in February 1814, but quickly re-instated less than a month later when rioting resumed.
In October 1864 the Day Watch and Night Watch merged to form the Halifax Police Department under City Marshall Garrett Cotter. Six divisions were formed with five men assigned to each Sergeant. Halifax got its first Detective in 1873.
The Dartmouth Police Department was established in 1874 following the City of Dartmouth's incorporation the previous year. The town of Bedford didn't have its own police force until 1982.
With the April 1, 1996 creation of the Halifax Regional Municipality
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
, the police forces of Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford were dissolved and merged into the new Halifax Regional Police (HRP). Policing in the new municipality was split between HRP covering the boundaries of the former cities of Halifax and Dartmouth and town of Bedford, while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP) covered rural areas in the rest of the municipality.
Patrol Division
The patrol division is divided up into three divisional areas:- West - BedfordBedford, Nova ScotiaBedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
to Sambro Loop - Central - Peninsular HalifaxHalifax PeninsulaThe Halifax Peninsula is a community and planning area located in the urban core of Halifax Regional Municipality in the province of Nova Scotia. Halifax Peninsula is home to Downtown Halifax, the financial and economic heart of the region, which was also the site of the original settlement and...
- East - DartmouthDartmouth, Nova ScotiaDartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
The patrol division has a special 8 car traffic unit, a park patrol unit, and a mounted unit (consisting of 2 horses named "Sarge" and "Cruise").
In addition to the visible patrol officers, the patrol division has several specialized units:
- Bike Unit
- Emergency Response Team
- K-9 Unit
- Mounted Unit
- Public Safety Unit
- Quick Response Unit
- Traffic Services Unit
- Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS)
Criminal Investigation Division
The Criminal Investigation Division is made up of four main sections: Special Investigation Section (SIS), Criminal Operations Section (CROPS), General Investigation Section (GIS) and Special Enforcement Section (SES).Special Investigation Section
The Special Investigation Section is an integrated unit staffed by HRP officers as well as RCMP officers. This section is responsible for investigating sexual assault, proceeds of crime, financial crime, and homicide. The section also investigates cold cases, and has a High Risk Enforcement team which monitors high risk offenders in HRM.Criminal Operations Section
Within the Criminal Operations Section is a team of Quality Assurance Readers, 8 sergeants who are responsible for ensuring the quality of all police reports. The Quality Assurance Readers also determine which section should handle the investigation, if a follow up is necessary.The Investigative Call Back Unit is responsible for contacting people involved in a police incident to ensure that all necessary information has been obtained or given out.
The Crime Analysis team monitors crime trends in HRM, allowing police to have a better understanding of crime in the community.
The Crime Stoppers Unit is responsible for obtaining information about a crime from the public. Anyone with information about a crime can call anonymously to give police tips that may help with their investigation.
The Polygraph
Polygraph
A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions...
Unit is responsible for conducting polygraphs during the course of a police investigation, and during the hiring process.
The Forensic Identification Unit is responsible for collecting, analyzing and storing DNA evidence for the purposes of police investigations. This is a joint unit between the HRP and RCMP.
The National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) is a joint unit between RCMP and other police forces throughout the country, including the HRP. They focus on the illegal movement of weapons within Canada.
General Investigations Section
The General Investigations Section is an integrated unit of HRP and RCMP officers. They are responsible for investigating all cases of robberyRobbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
, break and enter
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
and auto theft. This unit also investigates cases of arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
, serious assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
, and firearms complaints.
Special Enforcement Section
The Special Enforcement Section is an integrated unit of HRP and RCMP officers.The Drug Section is in charge of enforcing the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is Canada's federal drug control statute. Passed in 1996 by the Chrétien government, it repeals the Narcotic Control Act and Parts III and IV of the Food and Drug Act and establishes eight Schedules of controlled substances and two Classes of precursors...
. Primary focus is on street and mid-level drug trafficking, and also help with federal drug investigations. Drug awareness is also a priority for this section.
The Combined Forces Intelligence Unit is responsible for investigating organized crime. In addition to HRP and RCMP officers, this unit includes members of the Canada Revenue Agency
Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Revenue Agency is a federal agency that administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories, international trade legislation, and various social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system...
(CRA).
The Vice Unit investigates crimes of morality, such as gambling, prostitution, and pornography. The unit also investigates missing persons.
The Port Investigation unit are responsible for patrolling the lakes in HRM. The unit is also partners with the Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard is the coast guard of Canada. It is a federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue , aids to navigation, marine pollution response, marine radio, and icebreaking...
and Ports Harbourmaster to patrol the Halifax Harbour, Bedford Basin, and Northwest Arm. The unit consists of about 20 HRP officers who patrol on jet skis and a Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler is a boat company that builds foam filled fiberglass boats. Boston whaler was founded in 1958 by Richard T Fisher, and is still in business today.-History of the Design:...
.
The Computer Forensic Unit is responsible for gathering evidence in relation to computer hacking, internet prostitution and pornography, frauds, threats, and child pornography.
Fleet
There are 233 vehicles of which 118 are marked vehicles and 115 are unmarked. These include cruisers, SUVs, vans, 12 motorcycles, 4 boats, a mobile command vehicle, 6 ATVs, and a forensics vehicle. The HRP also utilizes five radar trailers, four utility trailers, and a bomb trailer.Other responsibilities
The Halifax Regional Police also does Bylaw enforcement for the HRM - pesticides,noise, smoking, dangerous & unsightly premises, sidewalk snow & ice removal, and curbside solid waste.International policing
Three members made history in 1999. They were the first officers from a municipal force from Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
to serve on a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping force in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. Since then, 17 other HRP officers have served on peacekeeping missions in East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, Kosovo, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
.