Chief of Police
Chief Robert J. Walsh has 33 years of extensive policing experience across general duty patrols, school liaison, traffic services, street crime & drugs, major crime, watch command and emergency response, with 15 years of senior leadership managing patrols, training, operational support, human resources and finance & administration.
He came to policing from the Atlantic Police Academy in 1991, following a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cape Breton University and French Immersion Program at Université Saint Ann, serving for the Sydney Mines, Sydney and Cape Breton Regional Police services. He also completed the Cadet Training Program at the RCMP Depot Training Academy and served with the RCMP in Nova Scotia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cape Breton University, a Certificate in Police Leadership from Dalhousie University, and is a certified Use of Force and Firearms Instructor, Critical Incident Commander and Major Case Team Commander.
Chief Walsh is passionate about safe and healthy communities and is a strong supporter of initiatives that build and foster community resilience. He has served on Boards and projects within the Cape Breton Regional Centre for Education, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Nova Scotia Department of Justice. He is a member of the Wortley Report Research Committee, participated in mentorship and liaison between community and police supporting diversity; led programs for occupational safety, health and wellness in policing; coached minor hockey, soccer, and volunteered with many other community sports teams and events. Chief Walsh is a long-standing member of the NS LETR Provincial Organizing Committee and recipient of the NS LETR Provincial Award for Leadership. He has proudly participated in the Final Leg running teams for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in both British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
In addition to being President of the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, Chief Walsh is Co-Chair of its Executive Development Committee, Chair of the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia Provincial Executive Committee, a member of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Policing Standards Committee and a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a recipient of both the Police Exemplary Service Medal and the Nova Scotia Police Long Service Medal.
Board of Police Commissioners
In accordance with the Nova Scotia Police Act, a municipal Board of Police Commissioners governs law enforcement, crime prevention and policy direction for an effective and efficient police service; however, it does not have jurisdiction over the daily operations of the police service. The Board serves as a link between citizens and the police service, helping establish goals, objectives and service delivery that meet the needs and values of the community.
The Board of Police Commissioners is required to hold a meeting at least every three months; meetings are open to the public, but all matters relating to discipline, personnel conduct, contract negotiations and security of police operations may be conducted in private.
The seven-member Board consists of three members of council, appointed by resolution of council; three citizens-at-large, appointed by resolution of council; and, one member appointed by the provincial Minister of Justice. A Chair is chosen from among this group of members, and each member must take an Oath of Office and adhere to a code of conduct, as prescribed by regulations of the Act.
The current members of the CBRM Board of Police Commissioners are:
- Commissioner Eldon MacDonald, Chair (Council Appointee)
- Commissioner Ken Tracey (Council Appointee)
- Commissioner Lorne Green (Council Appointee)
- Commissioner Dale Deering-Bert, Vice Chair (Citizen Appointee)
- Commissioner Tom Vickers (Citizen Appointee)
- Commissioner Helen Luedee (Citizen Appointee)
- Commissioner Noelle Gouthro (Provincial Appointee)
