News

:

, , ,

Board of Police Commissioners welcomes new acting chief, talks future police headquarters

Man in police chief uniform smiles standing between Canadian flag and Halifax Regional Police flag.
This week, the Halifax Regional Police welcomed acting Chief Don MacLean and announced $100 million for new headquarters. Photo courtesy Halifax Regional Police Facebook.
Haeley DiRisio - CKDU - Halifax • NS | 22-09-2023
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on email
Share on print

The Board of Police Commissioners welcomed new acting police Chief Don MacLean during Wednesday evening's meeting. 

MacLean was appointed as acting police chief last Tuesday following Chief Dan Kinsella's recent announcement of his retirement. His new role as Halifax’s interim police chief started on Sept. 16 and will run until a new chief is selected this fall.

During the meeting, MacLean said he has received “overwhelmingly positive” messages: he has served for the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) for the past 30 years and is the first Black police chief in the force’s history.

MacLean also announced that Deputy Chief Reid McCoombs will be starting Oct. 3 and acting temporarily as deputy for MacLean. McCoombs worked for HRP for 34 years before retiring in July.

“He brings 34 years of experience, wisdom and leadership,” MacLean said. 

The meeting also focused discussions around the roughly $100 million budgeted for a new headquarters outlined in the 2024-2025 capital plan. Crystal Nowlan, director of asset management, said the budget is still a draft until it goes before the regional council for approval. 

“Facilities, equipment and vehicles are the main source,” Nowlan said, mentioning that information technology (IT) is a big part of the budget plan. 

Cathie O’Toole, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, mentioned that safety inspection budgeting needs to be considered for the existing police headquarters. 

“I want to make sure that from an occupational and fire safety perspective that we are budgeting for whatever recap we need to do,” O’Toole said.

Location for the new headquarters has still yet to be finalized. 

“I think we have an interesting opportunity here,” Coun. Lindell Smith said. 

Smith said in order to save money on land, the new building could be put within the Cogswell District, which is being built around the corner from the existing Gottingen Street headquarters, and then sell the existing site.  

The new headquarters is scheduled to be built in 2028 with consultation starting in 2025.

Listen to the story below:

Download Audio