HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes June 19 2023 Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
Monday,
June 19, 2023
1:35 p.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade Sydney, NS
Commissioner Eldon MacDonald called the meeting to Order.
Present: Commissioner Eldon MacDonald, Chair
Commissioner Ken Tracey
Commissioner Dale Deering-Bert, Citizen Appointee, Vice Chair
Commissioner Tom Vickers, Citizen Appointee
Commissioner Noelle Gouthro, Provincial Appointee
Staff. Police Chief Robert Walsh
Deputy Chief Steve MacKinnon
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Fire Chief Michael Seth, Director of Fire & Emergency Services
Inspector Ken O'Neill
Inspector Bill Turner
Bryce Kehoe, Fire Prevention Officer
Stephen MacKenzie, Fire Prevention Officer
Desiree Magnus, Communications /PR Advisor
Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary
Absent: Commissioner Lorne Green (Regrets)
Commissioner Helen Luedee, Citizen Appointee (Regrets)
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 2
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledtement
Roll Call
1. Approval of Agenda:
Motion to approve the agenda and addendum. Carried.
2. Approval of Minutes:
➢ March 29, 2023
Motion to approve. Carried.
Addendum:
2. a) Fire Lanes —Verbal Report:
Fire Prevention Officers provided a verbal report on the move forward plan regarding
unauthorized parking in fire lanes.
For information only.
3. Divisional Reports:
For information only.
Addendum:
3. a) NSGEU Press Release:
Chief Walsh spoke to the recent Press Release issued by the NSGEU outlining concerns
raised regarding staff shortages.
For information only.
4. Upcoming Meetings:
Monday, September 11, 2023 Monday, December 11, 2023
10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall Council Chambers, City Hall
Adjournment
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 3
Call to Order
Land Acknowledgment
Roll Call
1. Approval of Agenda:
The Chair noted that an addendum for today's agenda was circulated to include a report by
Fire and Emergency Services regarding Fire Lanes, with the addition of the recent Press
Release issued by the NSGEU.
Motion:
Moved by Commissioner Tracey, seconded by Commissioner Vickers,to approve the June
19, 2023 CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Agenda and Addendum.
Motion Carried.
2. Approval of Minutes:
Motion:
Moved by Commissioner Tracey, seconded by Commissioner Deering-Bert,to approve the
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes of:
➢ March 29, 2023.
Motion Carried.
Addendum:
2. a) Fire Lanes —Verbal Report
Fire Chief Michael Seth introduced the issue, noting that Fire Services has been working
with the Regional Police to enhance enforcement of unauthorized parking in fire lanes.
Chief Seth called upon Fire Prevention Officers Stephen Mackenzie and Bryce Kehoe to
speak to the issue.
Fire Prevention Officer Stephen Mackenzie addressed the Commission. He advised that
the fire lanes have been filling up with non-emergency vehicles, so they have a move
forward plan to address the problem as follows:
• Step 1 —Education: this included public service announcements on radio,print
ads in the Cape Breton Post, informing business owners of their roles and
responsibilities and educating violators with flyers.
• Step 2 - Formal Warnings: Safety Unit Officers visit areas known to have issues
with fire lane parking and have given written warnings.
Continued...
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 4
Fire Lanes —Verbal Report(Cont'd):
• Step 3 —Enforcement: Step 1 and 2 will still be followed, but violators will be
ticketed.
• Step 4 —Continued Enforcement: Property owners are asked to keep fire lanes
open with signage and pylons (ex. at Mayflower Mall).
Fire Prevention Officer Mackenzie advised that currently only Police can issue tickets for
unauthorized parking in fire lanes.
Chief Walsh noted that the business community is cooperating, and Police will continue to
work with the Fire Services on enforcement.
Following discussion by the Commission, the Chair thanked Chief Seth and the Fire
Prevention Officers for their presentation.
For information only.
3. Divisional Reports:
Inspector Ken O'Neill noted the call volume comparisons since the last report to the Police
Commission. Inspector O'Neill then reported on the following:
Hi2hli2hts and Initiatives
• Hosted information sessions in North Sydney, Glace Bay and Membertou as
part our ongoing recruitment efforts to fill existing vacancies and
maintain our compliment of front-line officers.
• Charged a Millville man with numerous weapons offences and Possession of
Police Articles in violation of the Police Identity Management Act, after
seizing multi firearms, components and rounds of ammunition, as well as
several articles of police clothing believed to be authentic to the RCMP and
OPP. This is the first charge under the Police Identity Management Act in
Nova Scotia.
• As part of Canada Road Safety Week, Traffic Safety Officers invited media to
the scene of a mock impaired driving collision for an inside look at the
specialized services Cape Breton Regional Police use to investigate—including
forensic evidence, alcohol and drug recognition, and analysis and
reconstruction technology.
Continued...
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 5
Divisional Reports (Cont'd):
The exercise also demonstrated the potential consequences of impaired driving
and the importance of choosing safe driving behaviors to save lives and reduce
injuries on roadways. In addition, through targeted enforcement, Traffic Safety
Officers issued 80 charges during Canada Road Safety Week. Charges included
Speeding, driving without valid and required paperwork, and driving while
revoked.
• Dedicated an increase police presence—including foot patrol—in the
downtown Sydney core in response to numerous complaints of criminal
activity. To date there have been 8 arrests for various breaches, public
intoxication, outstanding arrest warrants, and 2 Summary Offence tickets
issued.
• Welcomed 5 Atlantic Police Academy Cadets who will be with us for 12
weeks of on-the-job training, each assigned to a CBRPS Coach Officer for
mentoring. The APA Cadets provide service to the CBRM Community
conducting foot patrols and general duties in our communities.
• Celebrated National Police Week by visiting all CBRM High Schools
providing students with a first-hand look at our services and talking to them
about a future career in policing.
• Through the Cops Against Cancer Committee and Police Boys and Girls
Club, hosted a Floor Hockey Tournament in honour of Constables Mark
Royal and Tara Morgan.
• Training
• Patrols
• Lockup
• Membertou
• K-9 Unit
School Liaison Officers
Following the report by Inspector Ken O'Neill, staff responded to questions by Police
Commissioners.
Continued...
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 6
Divisional Reports (Cont'd):
Inspector Bill Turner then presented on the following sections of the Report:
Operational Support:
• Traffic Safety Unit
Street Crime/Drug Unit
Community Safety Enforcement Unit
Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN)
• Major Crime/Domestic Violence Unit
General Investigation Section/Arson Investigator
• Internet Child Exploitation Unit(ICE)/Computer Forensic Unit
• Forensic Identification Unit
Solid Waste
• Mental Health Liaison Officer
• Polygraph
For information only.
Addendum:
3. a) NSGEU Press Release:
The Chair called upon Chief Walsh to speak to the issue.
Chief Walsh spoke to the recent Press Release issued by the NSGEU outlining concerns
raised regarding staff shortages. The Chief noted first and foremost they will not
compromise public or officer safety, however not unlike other police services, CBRPS is
experiencing challenges with recruiting. With current vacancies and sick time, they have
been making adjustments and redistributing officers in platoons where there are immediate
shortages, noting they have been making progress to get officers back to work as soon as
possible. They will continue to take steps to better resource the service during the summer
months.
Following discussion by the Commission, the Chair thanked Chief Walsh for his
comments.
For information only.
CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes
June 19,2023 Approved September 11,2023 Page 7
4. Upcoming Meetings:
The Chair noted the upcoming meeting schedule for the Police Commission:
Monday, September 11, 2023 Monday, December 11, 2023
10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall Council Chambers, City Hall
Chief Walsh noted that these meetings dates are subject to change if required to
accommodate Commission members.
In response to a question by Commissioner Vickers, Chief Walsh explained the process for
advancement within the police service.
The Chair noted that there being no further business on the agenda, the meeting was
adjourned.
Adiourned at 2:24 p.m.
Commissioner Eldon MacDonald Deborah Campbell Ryan
Chair Municipal Clerk
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