The Mounties in Nova Scotia have set nearly 7 tonnes of surplus gear, including uniform parts and body armour, ablaze this month.
In an interview, the force confirmed that between March 6 and 8, it incinerated precisely 6.92 tonnes of uniform shirts, pants, body armour, boots and other items, in order to guarantee they can’t be used for criminal activity down the road.
“The incineration in this case is considered a complete form of destruction so there’s nothing left over and there’s no possibility of the uniform being used in any way shape or form ever again,” said Cpl. Mark Skinner.
Skinner said the decision to destroy the items comes in anticipation of “forthcoming” federal legislation that would require the RCMP to destroy those items anyway. The federal government is already beginning to enforce its new prohibition on the sale of decommissioned RCMP vehicles.
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Over 13 hours between April 18 and 19, 2020, an armed gunman killed 22 people on a rampage in rural Nova Scotia while dressed as an RCMP officer — a disguise that helped him evade capture, and allowed him to get in close proximity to some of the victims.
The man, who was shot dead by police, had an authentic RCMP uniform and a convincing replica RCMP vehicle.
In January, federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced a moratorium on the sale of ex-RCMP cruisers, to ensure “they cannot be easily misused for criminal purposes.”
Since the mass shooting, calls have mounted for tighter restrictions that would also ban the sale of surplus or unneeded RCMP uniforms. There is no law prohibiting the ownership of police paraphernalia, like uniforms.
READ MORE: Police-package vehicles listed for sale, despite prohibition on the sale of decommissioned RCMP cars
There are more than 1,000 RCMP members in Nova Scotia, and the amount of gear destroyed this month amounts to roughly 15 pounds per person. It was incinerated in Charlottetown, a method that also eliminated the risk of COVID-19 transmission of the surface of the clothing, said Skinner.
“Yes, there’s a significant quantity that was disposed of at once, but it’s not a significant amount when you think of the number of members that we have that police the division.”
In a previous statement to Global News, Nova Scotia RCMP said its policy on the management and disposal of such kit and clothing “requires that uniform clothing items that are no longer serviceable or required by a member be condemned, destroyed or altered so that they cannot be identified or re-worn as an article of the RCMP uniform.”
Such items are removed from service when a member retires or when they’re damaged in the line of duty.
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Meanwhile, the joint federal-provincial inquiry in the mass shooting has begun accepting applications from potential participants. The commission of inquiry, formally known as the Mass Casualty Commission, issued a statement Wednesday saying its team has moved into new offices in Halifax and Truro, N.S.
Those applying for standing in the proceedings can also seek funding, but they must first demonstrate a “direct and substantial interest” in the commission’s mandate, it reads.
Some people have already been granted permission to participate, including surviving victims and the families of the victims, as well as the federal and provincial governments.
Those granted standing can participate on their own behalf, or they can be represented by a lawyer or a representative who is not a lawyer, subject to the commission’s approval.
“The office space in Truro will ensure that we have a space to conduct commission work in closer proximity to those most directly affected by the mass casualty,” wrote the commissioners in a collective statement. “Teams are moving in and working within health and safety guidelines.”
Applications can be filled out on the commission’s website and must be submitted for approval no later than April 6. Further updates on the work of the commission will be shared on Twitter and Facebook accounts, to be set up shortly, it confirmed.
With files from The Canadian Press