Government Announces Law Enforcement Identity Management Legislation

Minister of Justice and Safety Bernard Davis announced new legislation for the management of law enforcement articles, uniforms, vehicle markings and vehicle equipment.

The Law Enforcement Identity Management Act received a second reading in the House of Assembly on Thursday.

The Act is intended to increase public safety by restricting public access to law enforcement items and paraphernalia, thereby decreasing the likelihood of usage in unlawful activities.

The Act includes restrictions on the use, possession, sale and fabrication of law enforcement articles, uniforms, markings and vehicle equipment, requirements for law enforcement agencies subject to the Act to have asset management and disposal policies and enforcement procedures and penalties.

Consultations will occur in the comings months to inform regulations of the Act including the process to use enforcement items in dramatic works, as well as possible restrictions on the use of items from other law enforcement agencies.

This proposed legislation stems from a recommendation of the Mass Casualty Commission report that investigated the April 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia where the shooter impersonated an RCMP officer. This was the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. Newfoundland and Labrador will be the second province in Canada to introduce this legislation, after Nova Scotia.