A Halifax Regional Police officer is facing 30 new charges after she allegedly stole property from Atlantic Superstore locations 15 times over a span of six weeks.
Const. Jennifer McPhee was initially arrested and charged in connection with an alleged theft from the Atlantic Superstore on Chain Lake Drive on Sept. 13. She was charged with weapons and theft offences, released, and suspended with pay in accordance with the Nova Scotia Police Act.
READ MORE: 42-year-old Halifax police officer charged for theft
In a news release on Thursday afternoon, Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Const. John MacLeod said McPhee now faces additional charges in connection with 15 reported thefts at five Atlantic Superstores.
The 42-year-old is charged with one count each of theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property under $5,000 in relation to each of the following incidents:
- Aug. 3: Atlantic Superstore, 650 Portland St., Dartmouth
- Aug. 3: Atlantic Superstore, 650 Portland St., Dartmouth
- Aug. 24: Atlantic Superstore, 210 Chain Lake Dr., Halifax
- Aug. 26: Atlantic Superstore, 3601 Joseph Howe Dr., Halifax
- Aug. 28: Atlantic Superstore, 9 Braemar Dr., Dartmouth
- Aug. 30: Atlantic Superstore, 3601 Joseph Howe Dr., Halifax
- Sept. 1: Atlantic Superstore, 3601 Joseph Howe Dr., Halifax
- Sept. 4: Atlantic Superstore, 650 Portland St., Dartmouth
- Sept. 4: Atlantic Superstore, 9 Braemar Dr., Dartmouth
- Sept. 5: Atlantic Superstore, 1075 Barrington St., Halifax
- Sept. 5: Atlantic Superstore, 210 Chain Lake Dr., Halifax
- Sept. 6: Atlantic Superstore, 1075 Barrington St., Halifax
- Sept. 10: Atlantic Superstore, 1075 Barrington St., Halifax
- Sept. 11: Atlantic Superstore, 650 Portland St., Dartmouth
- Sept. 11: Atlantic Superstore, 9 Braemar Dr., Dartmouth
Police say McPhee was arrested on Thursday at 9 a.m. in connection with the reported thefts. She has been released and is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court on Nov. 18.
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McPhee has over 17 years of service with Halifax police and remains suspended with pay.
Change coming to police procedures
Halifax’s police chief announced last week that McPhee’s arrest would result in changes to how officers will be able to store their service weapons when no longer on duty.
Dan Kinsella announced officers would no longer be permitted to bring their service weapons home with them.
“The safest way for everyone involved is having accountability of those firearms and as far as I’m concerned, there is no need for an officer to have their gun with them outside regular duties,” Kinsella said last week.
In addition to the recent theft charges, McPhee is also charged with careless use of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm, and contravention of storage regulations.
READ MORE: Deputy mayor asks for briefing after third Halifax police officer arrested in a month
Two other Halifax Regional Police officers are also facing criminal charges. The investigations into the alleged crimes are being led by the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), Nova Scotia’s police watchdog.
Const. Joseph Farrow has been charged with unlawfully entering a home and sexual assault. Farrow was off duty when he was arrested and has been suspended.
SiRT is also investigating a case involving an officer who was arrested and released without charges after an alleged domestic incident in Eastern Passage on Oct. 7.
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