A former Crown prosecutor has been chosen to lead Nova Scotia's new independent investigation unit.
Ron MacDonald has been named the first director of the Serious Incident Response Team – an agency that will investigate allegations of police misconduct in Nova Scotia.
"Ron MacDonald's extensive background, along with his personal integrity, will make him an excellent first director of the Serious Incident Response Team," said Justice Minister Ross Landry. "The director is a key piece as we create an independent unit that will give Nova Scotians utmost confidence in the investigation of serious incidents involving police."
A graduate of Dalhousie law school, MacDonald joined the bar in 1985. He started serving as a Crown prosecutor in 1992 and was named a Queen's Counsel in 2002.
MacDonald also served as president of the Canadian Federation of Law Societies and the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, as well as an advisor of criminal law policy to the Department of Justice.
His term begins Tuesday and will last five years.
"This is a new phase in policing in Nova Scotia, and I am very pleased to be a part of it," MacDonald said. "SIRT will earn the trust of Nova Scotians with its thorough, transparent and independent investigations of police."
The team will investigate incidents such as death, serious injury, sexual assault or other public interest concerns that involved members of the police force.
A director, two civilian provincial investigators, seconded police officers and administration will serve on the team.
The unit can independently launch an investigation, or begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice.
Landry says he expects the unit will be operational early next year.
