Justice Minister Ross Landry will refer the RCMP's handling of calls for assistance for Nicole (Ryan) Doucet to the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP.
"It's important that Nova Scotians, especially those experiencing domestic violence, know that they can go to police for help," said Landry. "One of the reasons victims of domestic violence stay silent is that they don't believe people will listen. Government is listening, police are listening, the community is listening. I hope that an independent review can put any doubts and questions victims have to rest."
On Feb. 1, the RCMP submitted a report to Landry detailing the results of its internal investigation.
"I am referring this matter for independent review not because of what I read in the RCMP report, but because of what I heard from Nova Scotians. Nova Scotians are calling for an independent process."
The Commission for Public Complaints can begin a review after a complaint against the RCMP when it is of public interest.
The commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the RCMP are examined fairly and impartially. For more information, visit www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx .
