Community Consultations to Inform the Nova Scotia RCMP's Apology to African Nova Scotians and All People of African Descent for the Historic Use of Street Checks and Other Harmful Interactions

Background

In 2019, Dr. Scot Wortley released, Halifax, Nova Scotia: Street Checks Report, which found that in the Halifax region, people of African Descent were grossly overrepresented in police street check statistics.

The Nova Scotia RCMP did not apologize for these findings at the time; however, it will be apologizing in 2024.

The Commanding Officer (CO), Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, sought guidance from members of the African Nova Scotian communities throughout the province (now known as the CO's Steering Committee). This committee assisted in provincial outreach to ensure feedback was received from communities on the upcoming apology and subsequent action plan.

From September 2023 to January 2024, A/Commr. Daley and local detachment members were welcomed into 13 African Nova Scotian communities. Community members, or a member of the CO's Steering Committee struck to move the apology work forward, co-facilitated these consultations, with an emphasis on the RCMP being there to listen.

Five set questions were asked at each community consultation and the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) attended to take notes and provide support to community members. Community input was also sought via an electronic survey, which was promoted via the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia's Facebook page.

Cpl. Erin Dillon, in partnership with the ABSW, summarized community input in this report.

Five set questions

Question 1: "Where should the apology be delivered?"

Common themes

• In one of the historical African Nova Scotian communities
• Available for all to access or watch
• Do not leave out the smaller communities

Summary

Through consultation, it was suggested that the apology be delivered in an African Nova Scotian community, at a historical site that is meaningful. The majority of the communities mentioned their own community centres or a centralized location in the province, but further stated it should be where people were most affected by street checks. It was noted that there must be great effort in promoting the apology event and making it available for people to access across the province.

Further input

• In communities that have been affected the most
• Start in those communities where street checks were recorded
• "I think of how they do African Heritage Month; they launch it at Province House and then each individual community does their own launch."
• The Black Cultural Centre; Africville
• Shelburne
• Don't forget about the smaller communities; smaller communities are left out
• Circle back to the community with the plan

Question 2: "What would make the RCMP's apology meaningful to you?"

Common themes

• Showing that this apology comes from a place of sincerity and just not read off a script
• Actions speak louder than words; the apology is an important step but will mean nothing without action
• An acknowledgement of what was done, a commitment to not doing it again, and a plan to improve

Summary

Through consultation, this apology may be meaningful if it comes from the highest-ranking officer in the province or country. The RCMP needs to explain why this took so long and needs to show that there is buy-in from all RCMP members. There needs to be an understanding of inter-generational trauma and how members of the Black community have been made to feel small in front of the public and members of their family because of police. This apology must be action-oriented, there must be follow-through, and there needs to be ongoing dialogue. The RCMP must show that it understands that people have been held back from employment and educational opportunity due to these injustices. The RCMP must also know that great trust has been broken and for some, an apology will not fix this.

Further input

• Call yourself out, call it for what it is
• Involve the youth
• Involve the history of the Black communities
• Where is the RCMP with other recommendations (i.e., the Wortley Report)?

Question 3: "What specific words or phrases need to be included in the apology?"

Common themes

• Sincerity
• Accountability - taking full responsibility
• Fully acknowledging anti-Black racism and a genuine effort to address it

Summary

Through consultation, the RCMP must deliver a sincere and fully accountable apology. It must acknowledge that anti-Black racism is embedded within the Force's history and explain what the RCMP has done to the Black communities. The words "I'm sorry" have to be said directly to the victims and community. It was noted that if the RCMP knew the history, it would not have to ask the community this question.

Further input

• Note the Sankofa bird: Look behind you, what have you done?
• Denounce the actions of street checks and talk about White privilege
• This is not a result of the communities' actions but fully of the RCMP
• The words of the apology should be such that everyone can understand
• There should be an educational and historical component to the apology
• Show the community what you have done since the Wortley Report
• Acknowledge that the practice of street checks was a racist behaviour

Question 4: "What would make the RCMP's action plan that follows this apology meaningful to you?"

Common themes

• Mandatory training for RCMP in Nova Scotia on both the history of African Nova Scotian communities and anti-Black racism
• Accountability
• Re-thinking the hiring process
• More involvement in the Black communities (for example hosting town halls and attending community centres, schools, church halls)
• Increased diversity in the RCMP
• Wrap-around support for healing

Summary

Through consultation, communities stated that continuous, meaningful education with regard to African Nova Scotian history and anti-Black racism must be mandatory for officers working in Nova Scotia. Communities often questioned what history officers are taught before leaving RCMP Depot and suggested higher levels of learning should be required to enter the promotion process. Community members called for changes to, and questioned, the RCMP's hiring process and mentorship (e.g., field training). What steps are in place to protect the community from people with racist ideologies? How does the RCMP deal with complaints of racism? The community wants these processes to be clear and available for everyone to understand and follow through on. Also, who sits on independent complaint bodies is important. The community wants to see police at community functions and have the opportunity to talk to the local detachment members in forums such as town halls. It was also noted that the RCMP is a very mobile police force, and just as officers gain the trust of the community, they're often transferred. Community members need to be sitting at the table when the organization (and other police services) is making decisions and implementing changes to policies that will impact the community.

Further input

• Invest funds to treat trauma
• Have a plaque or flag to remember the apology, like the No. 2 Construction Battalion
• Regular checks on data to see if there are issues within an area or with specific officers
• Change needs to be embedded in all police forces, not just the RCMP
• Financial retribution

Question 5: "What local organization/affiliations should officially be invited to the apology?"

Common themes

• Victims and community members should be at the forefront
• Organizations that are affiliated to the African Nova Scotian communities and people of African Descent
• Government officials (e.g., Minister of Justice)
• All sections of the education and justice systems
• Open to the public and invite media

Summary

Through consultation, it was agreed that the victims and community members must be the focal point of invitations. Other police agencies, members of the education system, and members of the justice system should also be present. African Nova Scotians and people of African Descent have been in the media as police conducted street checks; therefore, the public and media should also be present to witness the RCMP apologize.

Further input

• Written invitations
• Youth and Elders
• African United Baptist Association
• African Nova Scotian service providers (e.g., ABSW)
• African Nova Scotia Affairs
• A Better Man Association
• 902 Man Up
• Boys' and girls' clubs
• 2SLGBTQI+ communities

Apology planning

A path forward – With this community guidance and input, the Nova Scotia RCMP, along with the Steering Committee, will form an action plan and apology event.

CO's Steering Committee quotes

There's nothing for us, without us.

We as Community understand the contention surrounding the issue and play a dual role in this work.

Nova Scotia RCMP quote

I am committed to ensuring the Nova Scotia RCMP does a better job of addressing anti-Black racism inside and outside the organization. Our apology is the first step.

Lived experiences - quotes from community members who attended the consultations

Racism has affected a lot of people, especially Black men.

We have knowledge we need to share.

It's a systemic problem. It would be great if someone could explain what that really means.

We have to look behind us, like the Sankofa bird. You have to say what you did, be accountable and make measurable goals.

All must have the opportunity to witness the apology.

You must unearth unconscious biases. We need officers who will stand up against unethical practices.

To say you are sorry is meaningful – but there needs to be action that will support the meaningful apology. Words like commitment, follow through and ongoing dialogue.