Your Nova Scotia RCMP: 2022

Human trafficking, gender-based and sexualized violence:
Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit charge two men with sex and labour trafficking offences

On June 9, 2022, the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit received information through its tip line that a woman was being trafficked by a Yarmouth man. As a result of this information, an investigation named Operation Homeward was launched.

During the course of the operation, officers determined the man was involved in trafficking numerous victims, for both sex and labour. Investigators also gathered evidence that a second Yarmouth man was involved in the trafficking activity.

The first man was charged with 33 offences, including:

• Human Trafficking (5 counts)
• Receiving a Financial Benefit from Human Trafficking (5 counts)
• Procuring (3 counts)
• Material Benefits from Sexual Services (3 counts)
• Trafficking Cocaine (3 counts)
• Trafficking Hydromorphone (2 counts)
• Sexual Assault (2 counts)
• Assault Causing Bodily Harm
• Assault (3 counts)
• Uttering Threats (2 counts)
• Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration
• Advertising Sexual Services
• Failure to Comply with Conditions of a Release Order (2 counts)

The man was already in custody on unrelated charges and appeared in Shelburne Provincial Court on August 4 and September 13, 2022.

The second man was arrested on August 3, 2022, and was charged with 6 offences:

• Human Trafficking
• Sexual Assault
• Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration (2 counts)
• Uttering Threats
• Intimidation of a Justice Participant

He appeared in Shelburne Provincial Court on August 4 and August 8, 2022.

The Human Trafficking Unit is a joint RCMP–Halifax Regional Police team.

Human trafficking, gender-based and sexualized violence:
Pictou County District RCMP charge man with sexual offences

On June 20, 2022, Pictou County District RCMP received a complaint of a sexual assault that occurred at an equestrian facility in Plymouth. The investigation resulted in charges, including two counts of Sexual Assault, against a 68-year-old Plymouth man in relation to a youth victim.

Following publication of those charges, other victims came forward to report sexual assaults involving the same man.

As a result of continued investigation, which went into 2023, Pictou Country District RCMP charged the man with additional charges:

• Sexual Assault (14 counts)
• Sexual Interference (4 counts)
• Sexual Exploitation (6 counts)
• Indecent Assault

He appeared in Pictou Provincial Court on September 2, 2022.

Human trafficking, gender-based and sexualized violence:
App aims to help human trafficking victims

Human trafficking, which involves the exploitation of people through deception, intimidation, threats or violence, is one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide, and Nova Scotia has the highest rate of human trafficking incidents in Canada.

“It's a big problem; a Statistics Canada report showed that in 2019, Nova Scotia's cases accounted for 10% of the those reported in the country,” says Corporal David Lane of the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit, a team made up of RCMP and municipal police officers dedicated to investigating human trafficking files and supporting victims.

In February 2022, in an effort to make reporting easier, the unit launched a quick response (QR) code that's been distributed across the province on posters and stickers. The code can be scanned quickly and unobtrusively, providing rapid access to the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking tip line, which is monitored 24/7 by an investigator. The QR code also links to information on human trafficking, including signs to watch out for and how to report suspected activity to police.

Serious and organized crime:
Antigonish County District RCMP charge man with smuggling and firearms offences

Antigonish County District RCMP, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), charged a man with smuggling and firearms offences.

On May 6, 2022, the CBSA intercepted a package that was being shipped to a 40-year-old Paq'tnkek man. Contained within the package was a firearm suppressor, which is a prohibited device. On May 19, Antigonish County District RCMP were advised of the interception and an investigation was started.

On June 27, the package was delivered to the man, who was immediately arrested. Search warrants were then executed at two homes in Antigonish County. During the searches, RCMP officers seized firearms, some of which were loaded and unsafely stored, and ammunition. A woman was also arrested at one of the homes.

The man was charged with:

• Importing a Prohibited Device
• Smuggling into Canada (Customs Act)
• Acquiring of Goods Illegally Imported (Customs Act)
• Careless Use of a Firearm (2 counts)
• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (2 counts)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (4 counts)
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (4 counts)
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
• Possession of a Firearm or Prohibited Device Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized (5 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm or Prohibited Device Contrary to Prohibition Order (5 counts)

The RCMP brought the man before the Antigonish Provincial Court on June 27; he was subsequently released on conditions by the court. He reappeared on September 28.

The investigation was led by the Antigonish County District RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the CBSA and Antigonish County District RCMP.

Serious and organized crime:
RCMP charge three men in relation to homicide in Yarmouth

At approximately 11:30 pm on May 24, 2021, Yarmouth Town RCMP were called to a home on King Street for a man who was suffering from a gunshot wound. Police located a 41-year-old male outside the residence. Emergency Health Services (EHS) attended, but the man succumbed to his injuries. His death was later determined to have been the result of a homicide.

In January 2022, the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit charged three men in relation to the murder.

The first man, a 33-year-old from Yarmouth, was charged with 2nd Degree Murder. He was already in custody at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility on other matters when he was arrested. He appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court on January 25 and February 14, 2022.

The second man, a 38-year-old from Barrington, was charged with Assault with a Weapon. He, too, was already in custody at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, also in relation to other matters, when he was arrested. He appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court on January 25 and February 2, 2022.

The third man, a 68-year-old from Yarmouth, was charged with Accessory After the Fact to Discharging a Firearm. He was arrested on January 21, 2022, in Yarmouth. He appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court on February 14, 2022.

Serious and organized crime:
Youth involved in Cole Harbour shooting charged

On October 30, 2022, Halifax District RCMP and EHS responded to a shooting at a party on Sedgemoor Court in Cole Harbour.

Responding officers and EHS located two 15-year-old victims. One victim had an apparent gunshot wound and was treated at the scene by officers and EHS before being transported to hospital. The second victim sustained minor injuries; he was treated at the scene by EHS and released.

The suspect, a male youth who was known to the victims, was later located by police and arrested.

On October 31, 2022, the RCMP/Halifax Regional Police Integrated Criminal Investigation Division charged the 17-year-old suspect with:

• Attempt to Commit Murder
• Aggravated Assault
• Careless Use of a Firearm
• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Intentionally Discharging a Firearm While Being Reckless (2 counts)
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition.

He appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on November 3, 2022.

Hate crime:
RCMP charge man with wilfully promoting hatred against any identifiable group

On September 8, 2020, Queens District RCMP received a complaint that a sign promoting hatred was visible from the roadway. Officers located the sign affixed to a cabin on Beaver Tail Lane. The next day, the owner of the cabin had the sign taken down.

On September 16, 2020, officers arrested the cabin owner, a 46-year-old man from Dartmouth, and subsequently seized the sign. The man was released pending further investigation.

On March 22, 2022, Queens District RCMP charged the man with Wilfully Promoting Hatred Against Any Identifiable Group. He appeared in Bridgewater Provincial Court on May 18, 2022.

Hate crime:
Increasing police officers’ hate crime awareness

The Nova Scotia RCMP is increasing hate crime awareness by offering hate crime training to all frontline police officers during mandatory block training.

Led by Sergeant Terry Faulkner of the Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit, the training is part of a proactive initiative to increase awareness and understanding when it comes to recognizing these types of crimes and the people who commit them.

“Hate crime isn’t only a crime against an individual,” says Sergeant Faulkner, who draws on national case law and local experiences in his training. “It’s a crime against an entire community, and we want all communities to know police take hate-fueled incidents very seriously.”

An informal working group has been established between the Nova Scotia RCMP, senior crown attorneys across the province, and the Halifax Regional Police. From time-to-time, members of the group discuss hate-related matters before the courts. Sergeant Faulkner also works with subject matter experts and anti-hate partners across the country.

“Our goal is for our officers to be trained using best practices; we want them to be equipped to effectively identify and investigate reports of hate crime,” says Sergeant Faulkner. “And we want our communities to feel safer, knowing they can have full confidence in police.”

First Nations policing:
Millbrook security and Millbrook RCMP work together

On the morning of September 24, 2022, when extratropical cyclone Fiona paid Nova Scotia a visit, Millbrook Detachment had well organized extra help to ensure the safety of its residents.

With power outages caused by the storm lasting from eight hours to three days, the Millbrook Public Safety Unit stepped up to assist the RCMP; the team managed road closures, traffic issues, and checked on elders in the community, enabling RCMP officers to focus on responding to 9-1-1 calls.

Established in 2021, the 14-member Public Safety Unit is charged with a variety of tasks. Besides emergency management, the unit applies action under the Indian Act; it enforces animal bylaws, band council resolutions, housing issues, noise complaints, and more. The unit is also entrusted with maintaining sacred fires, which are held for several days leading up to a funeral; they’re generally a week-long event and must be monitored 24 hours a day.

In a strong effort to promote public safety, members of the Public Safety Unit share a wealth of local knowledge about their tight-knit community with the RCMP. Acting as a conduit between police and residents, they quickly recognize if something is out of place and can pass information along to RCMP members.

Constable Dylan Bergmark, who’s originally from Prince Edward Island, has served in Fort Saint John, Dawson Creek, and Hopedale. He says the relationship is like nothing he’s seen before.

A bicycle rodeo held for the children of the community is evidence of the collaboration. The Public Safety Unit put the event together and located sponsors, while Constable Bergmark and Constable Barry Martin helped run it. And during a road hockey game, police officers, firefighters, the local crown council, and the unit took on 40 kids from the community, with the goal of breaking down barriers between police and youth.

Adam Francis, Bylaw Officer, Millbrook Security and Bylaw, says the Public Safety Unit is continuing to evolve in the community. A new marked truck is on order and due to arrive shortly. The team is moving to the province’s Trunked Mobile Radio system, allowing direct voice contact with the RCMP. And preparations are already under way to ensure the safety of attendees at upcoming North American Indigenous Games activities in Millbrook.

First Nations policing:
Mentoring and making a difference

Constable Kerry Seamone first thought about becoming a police officer when he was about eight years old. Not even in his wildest dreams, though, did he ever think it would actually happen. It took a few years, a special mentor, and commitment on his part to make his dream a reality.

Seamone grew up in Bridgewater and shortly after graduating high school, he found himself in North Bay, Ontario, pursuing a career in paramedicine. In 2015, he completed the paramedicine program and moved home to work as a paramedic. He also volunteered as a firefighter for the Midville and District Fire Department.

Seamone has a passion for helping people. So much so that when he crossed paths with Constable Gordie Giffin, an investigator with Lunenburg District RCMP, at a Canada Day event, he asked, “What does it take to become a Mountie?” Not long after exchanging phone numbers and chatting back and forth, Seamone applied to the RCMP.

Over the course of a year, Seamone and Giffin became good friends. There were times when Seamone had his doubts about joining the RCMP, but Giffin was quick to encourage him to keep going.

Much to his excitement, in 2022, Seamone was accepted into the RCMP’s cadet training program and he began the 26-week basic training course at Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Throughout his time at Depot, Seamone kept in close contact with Giffin, who was keen to support him throughout the entire process. As Seamone’s training was coming to an end, Giffin decided that he had to be there in person for graduation and didn’t hesitate to book a flight to Regina.

Seamone is now a constable in Eskasoni First Nation, the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world.

“My goal is to support community policing by fully immersing myself in the culture, language and community events,” says Seamone.

When Seamone asked Giffin how he could ever repay him, Giffin simply replied, “Just pay it forward.”

Giffin firmly believes in mentorship as a form of recruitment. “If every officer took one person under their wing, we could double our workforce across Canada.”

Seamone hopes that through forming connections within the community, he will be able to do just that.

Promoting off-highway vehicle safety in Nova Scotia

In 2022, RCMP officers across the province attended an increasing number of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) collisions. As a result, a social media campaign was launched to encourage Nova Scotians to keep safety top-of-mind while using off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

“Every year, the RCMP responds to numerous fatal and serious injury collisions involving ATVs,” said Staff Sergeant Ben Parry of the Nova Scotia RCMP's Traffic Services Unit. “However, we heard from various detachments across the province that over the past few years, hardly a weekend goes by without a call to an ATV incident.”

Provincial government statistics indicate there's been an 18% increase in OHV registrations between 2020 and 2021. There are approximately 50,000 registered OHVs in the province.

“The data shows there are three main causes of major OHV events: impaired driving, speed, distracted operation of the vehicle, or a combination of all three,” said Staff Sergeant Parry. “Improper use of protective equipment, or not using it at all, is another risk.”

The exact number of OHV collisions is unknown. Those that occur on private properties and trails are likely to be under-reported due to how the Motor Vehicle Act defines mandatory collision reporting; it applies to public roadways only.

“When you get on an off-road vehicle, safety needs to be your number one priority,” said Staff Sergeant Parry. “Otherwise, your life – and the lives of others – is at risk. Ride sober. Don't speed. Pay attention. Operate the machine according to your skill level. And wear safety gear, including a proper helmet.”

Those who violate the Off-Highway Vehicles Act could face a penalty of $200 to $2,000 for a first offence and have their vehicle seized. And if found to be impaired, they can be charged under the Criminal Code. If those 16 and under are found to be operating OHVs out of compliance with the Off-Highway Vehicles Act or the Motor Vehicle Act, parents or guardians are responsible.

The social media campaign ran from October to March.

Nova Scotia plays part in launching new RCMP fitness test

The RCMP developed the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) in 1989, and it became a standard part of the cadet recruitment process two years later. It’ll soon be replaced with a modernized, field-based fitness assessment.

In 2016, the RCMP Workplace Wellbeing Directorate’s National Fitness and Health Promotion Program partnered with the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Human Performance Research Team to modernize the physical employment standard for police duty. A research committee involving police officers, exercise physiologists, and learning and development specialists was formed.

Recognizing not all parts of the country have easy access to testing sites able to accommodate the PARE, it was determined that a field-based version of the fitness test would better meet the RCMP’s needs. The field tests could be rolled out across the country with very little equipment, with or without a gym.

In September 2022, Kyle Aucoin, Fitness and Health Promotion Advisor with the Nova Scotia RCMP, joined with his counterparts from across the country to trial the new assessment protocols. An old aircraft hanger at CFB Shearwater hosted nearly 80 members from the Atlantic region, who assisted in the fitness trial and the collection of data on the field test.

Nationwide, over 500 RCMP officers participated in both versions of the police fitness test.

Given the goal to make the delivery of the RCMP’s fitness test more flexible, and the positive feedback on the field test fitness trials, the field-based fitness test has replaced the RCMP’s PARE. In May 2023, gold-standard field test assessments began at RCMP Depot. And in fall 2023, the field test will be introduced across the county. Until then, PARE remains the current physical employment standard for regular members.

Call-outs: Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services

Total

84

Halifax District

10

Northeast Nova District

34

Southwest Nova District

36

Other agency assists

4

Call-outs: Emergency Response Team

Halifax District

20

Northeast Nova District

41

Southwest Nova District

17

Other (federal files and other divisional and agency assists)

15

Call-outs: Underwater Recovery Team

Halifax District

6

Northeast Nova District

4

Southwest Nova District

6

Other (federal files and other divisional and agency assists)

12

Call-outs: Police Dog Services

Province-wide

556

Checkpoints

Halifax District

161

Northeast Nova District

1054

Southwest Nova District

1099

Traffic Services

~410

Charges and suspensions for impaired driving

Halifax District

552

Northeast Nova District

453

Southwest Nova District

358

Traffic Services

142

Summary offence tickets for stunting

Halifax District

47

Northeast Nova District

20

Southwest Nova District

26

Traffic Services

99