Public communication

Depending on the nature of the information we're sharing, we use a variety of methods to communicate broadly with the public:

News releases

We regularly issue news releases on operational activities, such as criminal investigations, serious collisions and missing persons.

Social media

Our news releases are shared on Facebook and X (Twitter). We also use social media to inform the public about road closures, non-critical police updates and our involvement in community events.

Alerts

The Nova Scotia RCMP has the authority to issue the following alert types only, which are defined by Alert Ready:

  • Civil emergency
  • Animal danger
  • Amber
  • Terrorist threat

Every day, we respond to reports of crime and requests for service across the province. At each call, our officers collect information, gather credible details and assess the situation. If at any time an investigation leads us to believe there's imminent risk to the public, we issue a civil emergency alert via the Alert Ready system. In the case of an abducted child or person of proven physical or mental disability, we issue an Amber Alert.

Emergency alert

We issue a civil emergency alert via the Alert Ready system when an emergent or on-going incident caused by humans may put the public in direct harm, including:

  • emergent firearm/weapon related offences
  • active shooter/immediate action rapid deployment (IARD) incidents
  • terrorist attacks
  • chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incidents with an established criminal nexus
  • civil disobedience/rioting
  • dangerous animal incidents

During a significant incident, we continue to assess the situation to determine if an alert is appropriate, and that an alert would not place the public and/or responding emergency personnel at greater risk. Risk assessments during an incident are ongoing and, as more information is received or if the situation changes, an alert can be issued, updated or cancelled at any time.

Via Alert Ready, civil emergency alerts broadcast province-wide or to specific geographic areas; they're sent to:

  • Compatible wireless devices (for example, cell phones)
  • Television
  • Radio

If you receive an emergency alert:

  • Follow the instructions in the alert until directed otherwise
  • Don't call 911 unless you have an emergency or information specific to the activity for which the alert was issued
  • Check with any family or friends in the affected area to ensure they're aware of what's happening
  • Follow the Nova Scotia RCMP on Facebook or X (Twitter) for non-critical updates

Keeping public safety top-of-mind, we share information as quickly and as frequently as we can during an active, ongoing incident. When new, critical information is available, we update the alert; non-critical updates are posted to our Facebook and X (Twitter) accounts.

Amber Alert

Amber Alerts are issued in Nova Scotia when police have confirmed a child or person of proven physical or mental disability has been abducted and the situation is time-critical. They're used only when all of the following criteria have been met:

  • Police have confirmed that an abduction has taken place
  • The victim is under age 18 or of proven physical or mental disability
  • There's reason to believe the victim is in danger of serious physical injury
  • There's information available that, if broadcasted to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the victim

Amber Alerts are province-wide; they're broadcast on radio, television and compatible wireless devices.

If you receive an Amber Alert:

  • Make note of the location of the abduction and the description of the victim, suspect and/or vehicle involved
  • Watch out for the victim, suspect, and/or vehicle described in the Amber Alert
  • Immediately report any findings to 911 or to the phone number included in the Amber Alert

When new, critical information is available, we update the Amber Alert. Non-critical updates are shared via our Facebook and X (Twitter) accounts accounts.

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