90% of Nova Scotians agree that the communication and GPS technology used by police services needs to be improved. (Pollara, July 2022)

The mass casualty event in Nova Scotia was an unpredictable and complex event that required swift response from various frontline services, including an integrated and cohesive approach from multiple police services. This integrated approach had to be quickly executed in a rapidly evolving and high-stress environment.

Interoperability issues between first responders and public safety personnel have been discussed in other major events, including Moncton in 2014. The independent review that followed recognized there were challenges with communications systems including radio technology and use, interoperability, and encryption, which limited effective communications between officers during the incident. [i]

Part of the post-event examination of the Portapique mass casualty event has included evidence that demonstrated RCMP Members and dispatchers provided regular updates to other districts and police agencies throughout by telephone calls and “be on the look out” (“BOLO”) alerts. The available technology however, limited the effectiveness of this interagency communication. 

Establishing consistent and interoperable systems is integral for effectively sharing information between police services while minimizing risk of disjointed response or information gaps. [ii]

Throughout the MCC, a lack of adequate access to technology such as GPS, radio, case management, and dispatch systems, and high-resolution satellite mapping was demonstrated. These tools would have aided the RCMP’s efforts on the ground and improved the integration of other police services in the response. Going forward we need to learn from these events and must allow for incident commanders to better track and communicate with Members of the RCMP and other police agencies.