About SiRT
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is a civilian led police oversight agency that is responsible for conducting investigations into incidents that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence or any matter of public interest that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer, on or off duty, in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.
To ensure the citizens we serve have the utmost trust and confidence in the investigation of serious incidents involving police
When an investigation is complete, the SiRT Director decides if criminal charges should be laid against the officer. A public summary of the investigation outlining the reasons for the decision is completed and posted on the SiRT webpage. When a charge is laid, the case is referred to the appropriate prosecution service.
SiRT does not publish the final outcomes of court cases/charges filed as a result of our investigations. Only the results of the investigation and the Director’s decision whether charges are laid is reported.
Investigating Serious Injury Cases
What is a serious injury?
A serious injury includes:
- fractures to limbs, ribs, head or spine
- burns, cuts, or lacerations that are serious or affect a major portion of the body
- loss of any portion of the body
- serious internal injuries
- any injury caused by gunshot
- significant number of stitches
- admission to hospital as a result of the injury (not including outpatient care followed by release).
Independent
and Impartial
We operate independently of police and government. This independence makes sure that SiRT investigations are unbiased and free from outside influences.
According to law a current or former police officer cannot be the Director of SiRT.
How the Serious Incident Response Team Receives
Cases
The Chiefs of all municipal police agencies and the head of the RCMP, in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, are required by law to refer all serious incidents to the Serious Incident Response Team.
Members of the public can make referrals for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by contacting SiRT directly by calling 1-855-450-2010 (toll free) or emailing sirt@novascotia.ca
SiRT can also launch or take over an investigation on its own or be referred a matter by the Minister of Justice (NS)/Minister of Public Safety (NB).
In all situations, the decision whether a matter meets the SiRT mandate is determined by the Director.
Organizational
Structure
Led by the Director, the SiRT team is made up of administrative and support staff as well as experienced investigators. We have staff in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Roles &
Responsibilities
Director
The Director is appointed by Governor in Council pursuant to the Nova Scotia Police Act. She is responsible for the operation and management of SiRT, including direction and reporting on all SiRT investigations, as well as management of investigative and non-investigative personnel and resources. The Director is also responsible for administration of the SiRT budget and related financial and administrative matters. The Director has the sole authority to determine whether a matter meets the SiRT mandate to be investigated, and whether to lay criminal charges.
Erin Nauss
Director
Assistant Director
The Assistant Director is accountable to the Director to oversee, and review investigations conducted by SiRT. The Assistant Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the New Brunswick SiRT office. The Assistant Director is the designate for the Director when the Director is unable to act.
Rebecca Butler
Assistant Director
Manager Communications & Special Projects
The Manager of Communications & Special Projects coordinates responses to media inquiries, develops internal and public-facing communications, manages the SiRT website, assists with policy development and navigating resources available to those affected by serious incidents, as well as overseeing other projects for SiRT.
Khalehla Perrault
Manager Communications & Special Projects
Manager Business Administration
The Manager of Business Administration manages daily operations, business processes and resources to ensure smooth operations. They manage departmental expenses, monitor financial reports, and maintain statistical information for SiRT. They also assist with reporting, address inquiries from the public, and other administrative tasks.
Civilian and Seconded Investigators
SiRT is comprised of non-police investigators appointed by the Governor in Council under the Nova Scotia Police Act, and officers seconded from police agencies who report only to the SiRT Director while seconded. Seconded investigators do not lead files from their home agency.
SiRT investigators lead the investigation including determining resources and methodology, gathering information, interviewing witnesses, evaluating needs for specialized services, directing teams and preparing investigation reports.
Report An Incident
Members of the public can make referrals for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by contacting SiRT directly by calling 1-855-450-2010 (toll free) or emailing sirt@novascotia.ca