Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team or SiRT will become the police oversight body for New Brunswick as well.
The two provinces have reached an agreement in principle to allow the independent agency to cover both provinces.
SiRT investigates serious matters such as death, serious injury, sexual assault or other public interest concerns involving the police.
Last year, New Brunswick asked Quebec’s oversight body, the BEI, to investigate the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi when SiRT was focused on Nova Scotia’s mass shooting.
“We know the importance of having an independent oversight body to investigate serious incidents involving police and we are pleased with this agreement in principle,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.
“This is an example of how the provinces in our region can work together to ensure we have ready access to the expertise that we need to serve our communities.”
Additional resources will be required to support the expansion although the cost was not released.
Both provinces must make the necessary changes in legislation and related policies.
The partnership is expected to start in 2022.
