Police Complaints Commissioner
Competition # : 49717
Department: NS Police Complaints Commissioner
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 03-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner provides independent civilian oversight of the conduct of municipal police officers in Nova Scotia. The Office monitors and investigates complaints by citizens alleging misconduct by municipal police officers. It also provides support to the Police Review Board, which is empowered to hear and rule on public complainant appeals. Police officers may also appeal internal discipline decisions to the Review Board.
About Our Opportunity
The Police Complaints Commissioner plays a key role in ensuring police accountability and transparency in the province.
Appointed by an Order in Council, the Police Complaints Commissioner performs the duties assigned by the Police Act, the Regulations, the Nova Scotia Minister of Justice, or the Governor in Council. Specific responsibilities include:
- Monitoring investigative timelines during the initial police agency investigation of a complaint
- Reviewing and investigating public complaints upon appeal by the complainant
- Mediating resolutions to complaints
- Determining if complaints should be referred for a hearing before the Police Review Board
- Administration of the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner
Qualifications and Experience
- University degree with five years' experience in a related field.
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system, due process, rule of law, and socio-economic factors.
- Experience interpreting and applying legislation, developing policy and procedure, and understanding administrative law and fairness/natural justice.
- Senior leadership skills: ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively; experience making reasoned decisions and communicating them in a timely manner; well-developed mediation and dispute resolution skills; impartiality and sound judgement to fairly assess cases involving conflicting evidence.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
- Commitment to respecting diversity and maintaining fair, transparent processes that meet high professional standards.
Assets: - Law degree
- Experience in community-related activities and a good reputation among peers.
- Previous experience on an administrative tribunal or board is preferred.
Benefits
Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
Additional Information
- This is an Order in Council appointment, not a civil service position. However, the position is eligible for civil service pension and benefits.
- Term is for a three (3) year duration, with possibility of reappointment.
- Some travel may be required.
- Offer is conditional upon completion of background checks and confirmation of credentials, satisfactory to the Minister of Justice.
Salary Range: $5,229.78 - $6,537.21 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.
Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.
