Halifax RCMP pushes to add 23 officers amid rising calls, growing population

RCMP leadership in Halifax pitched their growth plan at a Halifax Board of Police Commissioners meeting Monday, with the aim of adding 23 new officers to its ranks by 2026.

The plan is to add 14 officers this year and another nine officers in 2026.

The growth plan seeks to keep pace with the expanding population in the Halifax region, which is estimated at roughly 492,000 people right now and is expected to reach 524,000 by 2028.

"Catching up and meeting the demands of core policing services is something that we're mindful of to make sure we are meeting the expectations of the community,” said Supt. Don Moeser, acting officer in charge of the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment.

The Halifax RCMP is also looking to add three new satellite police offices: one in Beechville and another in Fall River this year, and a third on Eastern Passage next year.

All three sites would be staffed with six full time officers to address the calls for service, which continue to grow according to the RCMP.

"The total calls for service depict a trending increase and we are actually on pace in 2024 to eclipse the 60,000 mark,” said Insp. Jeff Mitchell.

That's up from more than 50,000 calls for service in 2023, said Mitchell.

With population growth comes more traffic and collisions. RCMP says they have responded to 1,048 motor vehicle collisions within the Halifax RCMP jurisdiction since June, an increase from 920 collisions reported during the same time last year.

Fall River area councillor Cathey Deagle Gammon welcomes the satellite office in her district and says the added police presence is needed.

"The top priority we hear is traffic, it's what you'll hear the most,” said Deagle Gammon, who noted most people drive in her community due to a lack of public transit. “But it's also about presence with the RCMP and establishing a relationship.”

Halifax RCMP suggests the price tag or operating costs for one officer per-year is roughly $190,000, so estimates suggest 23 new officers would increase operating costs by $4.3 million annually.

The Halifax Board of Police Commissioners will vote on the proposed police increase later this month. 

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.