Thread by @Nicole__Munro

It's a busy week in municipal affairs, with Halifax regional council and budget committee meetings later this week.

Today: Halifax Board of Police Commissioners meeting.

You can watch here: or read along here: streamtext.net/player?event=H…

Here is today's agenda:
halifax.ca/city-hall/boar…

Coun. Lindell Smith says the board will take a moment of silence at 2 p.m. to honour the victims of last year's mass shooting.

https://twitter.com/deAdder/status/1383756381069582347

The first item on the agenda is the Wortley report.

It's been two years since the report, which found Black people were almost six times more likely to be street-checked than white people, was presented. More here: thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/str…

Halifax Regional Police is to present a report on where the force is on the recommendations put forward.

Coun. Lisa Blackburn says at the two-year mark, the community should be given a "comprehensive update on where we are and where we're going."

Next, HRP Chief Dan Kinsella is giving an update on the IT audit report, which found the force lied to the board. More here: saltwire.com/atlantic-canad…

Kinsella was giving an update on HRP's progress on the AG's recommendations (halifax.ca/media/72917), but was cutting in and out, so the board is taking a quick break to work out the technical difficulties.

Alright, Kinsella has rejoined the meeting via phone.

Blackburn asks what steps have been taken to ensure the board only receives accurate and complete information.

Kinsella says there is now documentation being kept to show the recommendation has been fulfilled.

No motion there, so moving on to the next item: HRP (halifax.ca/media/72918) and RCMP (halifax.ca/media/72919) financial reporting.

The RCMP's report states, "The officer in charge of Halifax District RCMP has direct control over $3.6 million for discretionary spending, ie., overtime, fuel, equipment, kit and clothing, etc."

Smith notes the board has to go through other channels to get more info on this.

Now, onto HRP (halifax.ca/media/72920) and RCMP (halifax.ca/media/72921) strategic plan updates.

Commissioner Carole McDougall asks about the status of the hub model assessment project.

Kinsella says HRP has "determined the hub model has some application in certain areas, we don't believe at this time that it is the exact model for HRM."

Coun. Becky Kent says there are many organizations involved in sexualized violence prevention awareness, such as the Adsum House and Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, and asks if HRP is working with them.

Kinsella says yes, SAIT works with different groups in the community.

After a quick break, Halifax District RCMP chief superintendent Janis Gray says no one will understand the pain the mass shooting victims' families are going through.

The board is now taking a moment of silence for the victims.

The board is discussing a request from the RCMP to have the board support a redirection of funds (halifax.ca/media/72922).

The motion passes, so the board will send a letter to HRM finance in support of the request.

Next, does the board need independent legal counsel? Here's a staff report from Katherine Salsman, solicitor with HRM: halifax.ca/media/72942

Salsman says the recommendation is the board "access occasional ad hoc legal advice as required, by way of a motion at a meeting where the need arise."

Here are the two models put forward for consideration:

Martin Ward, legal counsel for the Halifax Regional Municipality, says conflict between counsel and the commission "would be very rare."

"One might argue that the councillors themselves in that instance who sit on the commission could be in a conflict position," he says.

Ward says the commission should have the option when they think it's required, but legal counsel doesn't think that's an occurrence at every meeting.

The motion, going with the staff-recommended option, passes.

Next, Smith is giving an update on the committee to define defunding the police.

Smith says last week they met with El Jones, and there are still questions around how to go about public engagement. The survey also still needs to be distributed.

The final report is to come forward at the end of June.

A quick motion about some members attending the Canadian Association of Police Governance - Governance Summit passes.

For his chief update, Kinsella notes it's volunteer week and thanks those who volunteer.

April is also sexual assault awareness month.

HRP says the road safety theme for April is speeding and aggressive driving, so the police force's social media pages will be bringing more attention to those issues.

Halifax District RCMP chief superintendent Janis Gray also acknowledges volunteer week.

Gray says RCMP received 41 911 calls for impaired drivers. She reminds people it's important to report an impaired driver.

With no notices of motion, the board is moving in-camera for a security matter.

The Halifax Board of Police Commissioners next meeting is to be on May 17.