Serious Incident Response Team Appoints Interim Director

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The province has appointed retired senior Crown attorney John Scott as interim director of the province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). Work is underway to hire a permanent director.

Mr. Scott’s appointment is effective today, Oct. 16. He replaces Ron MacDonald, who will be joining BC’s Independent Investigations Office at the end of October. Mr. MacDonald has held the position since SiRT became operational in 2012.

“John is a highly respected former Crown attorney who brings skill and expertise to this position,” said Justice Minister Mark Furey.” I thank Mr. Scott for stepping up during this time of transition. Nova Scotians can continue to have the utmost confidence in investigations involving police.”

“Thanks also to Ron MacDonald for the exemplary job he has done establishing and leading SiRT during the past five years.”

Mr. Scott is a graduate of St. Mary’s University and Dalhousie law school. He joined the bar in 1976 and worked as a Crown attorney for 38 years until his retirement in 2014. He has experience at all trial levels of court in Nova Scotia, handling a wide range of prosecution cases. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society.

“I look forward to working with the SiRT team and continuing the important role this service provides to the police and public,” said Mr. Scott. “As interim director, I plan to draw on my many years of experience as a Crown attorney in carrying out the duties and functions this position demands.”

SiRT investigates all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and domestic violence, or other matters of significant public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police agency across the province.

Mr. Scott will oversee a team of four investigators, including two civilians with prior policing experience and two seconded police officers.

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Source: Release