After 44 years with the New Glasgow Regional Police, Chief Eric MacNeil has announced his retirement. Mayor Dicks thanked Chief MacNeil for his dedicated service with New Glasgow Regional Police and our community. Chief MacNeil served in the role of Chief for the last three years and served the previous ten years as Deputy Chief. “We wish Eric and his family all of the best for his well-deserved retirement,” said Mayor Dicks.

Stephen Chisholm, who currently serves as New Glasgow Regional Police’s Deputy Chief, will take on the new role as Chief on April 1st, 2020.
“On behalf of the New Glasgow Regional Board of Police Commissioners and the Town of New Glasgow Council, we are thrilled to announce Steve’s appointment to Police Chief,” said New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks. “He has been a long-time leader in our organization, and he has continued to develop his

management skills over the past year and half serving in the role of deputy chief. We have great confidence in his ability to lead the New Glasgow Regional Police.”
Chief Chisholm is originally from Pictou County and he started his policing career in the Town of Westville in June of 1984 where he served as a general patrol officer until he left in June of 1986, when he became a member of the New Glasgow Police. From 1986 to 2006, Chief Chisholm worked as a general patrol officer and during that time was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and later to the rank of Sergeant. In 1995, he received a commendation from the Governor General for his work in saving a life. Later in 2006, he was transferred to the Major Crimes Unit as the Officer in Charge where he remained until his promotion to Deputy Chief in September of 2018.

“It is really wonderful to have confidence in the abilities of our staff and know that we have the caliber of individuals who take the initiative to strive for internal growth within an organization. Steve is a great example of this testament,” said Mayor Dicks, who also serves as the New Glasgow Regional Police Board Chairperson.
An internal competition will be forthcoming for the position of Deputy Chief.

For media inquiries please contact:
NGRP Commission Chairperson, Mayor Nancy Dicks

Many of our Pictou County residents rely on non-profit organizations to help them with services that are not offered at a government level. With new social distancing and self-isolation rules in place because of the coronavirus crisis, we know it is difficult for many of these volunteer groups to continue to provide the level of service they have in the past.
You are not alone. At a local level, the Regional Emergency Management Organization is here to offer assistance to non-profit groups who have questions and concerns about the services they can deliver, how people can access their services and how they can overcome the many challenges they face because of COVID-19.
REMO is made up of representatives from the six local municipal units who are working collaboratively under a provincial approved emergency management plan to deliver essential services to all Pictou County residents during this crisis.
Team members meet daily over teleconference to discuss a variety of municipal topics including administration, police, fire, public works and community issues. REMO also works regularly with the provincial Emergency Measures Organization with updates and to make sure messaging from all levels of government is universal.
REMO is making a difference locally by ensuring that municipal staff and emergency personnel are protected when they are on the job. Steps have been taken to have administration staff in municipal offices work from home while making sure they are still available to answer your calls. It ensures safety supplies such as gloves, masks and eyewear are available to essential service workers and employees are following social distancing by travelling in separate vehicles to calls outside of their workplaces.
We also realize that volunteers with community groups have similar concerns. You have people who rely on you as well. How can meals be delivered to homes safely? How can you check in on people in your community but keep a safe physical distance? How can you provide support to members of your group to keep their spirits up during this difficult time?
If you are with a community group and want some advice on the challenges you’re facing, please don’t hesitate to contact REMO. We are here to help.
Contact: Paige Clarke, REMO Community Liaison Member 902-921-1515 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Local police will be enforcing orders until the Health Projection Act for people who are not following the rules around social distancing and self-isolation.
The Nova Scotia government declared a state of emergency on March 22 which includes strict fines of up to $1000 for people and $7500 for businesses that don’t follow the rules of the act.

The most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home, said John Davison, coordinator of Regional Emergency Management Organization, but there are times when healthy people need to go out of their homes for groceries, medications or exercise. If this is the case, please follow provincial guidelines regarding social distancing.

“Social distancing and self-isolating are two of the ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and when people don’t want to do this, our local police will issue fines to make them listen,” he said “We need everyone on onboard to flatten the curve so our lives can return to normal as soon as possible.”
New Glasgow Regional Police are issuing a stern warning that strict fines can result, to the few residents who do not follow directives issued by the Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic evident in our community, everyone needs to take these directives outlined in the Emergency Measures Act and the Health Protection Act, extremely serious. These measures of area closures and physical distancing are put in place to help protect the community against COVID-19 crisis,” said New Glasgow Regional Police Constable Ken MacDonald, who is also member of the REMO communications team. “It is extremely important to become familiar with the required directives under the Emergency Measures Act and the Health Protection Act. As this directive is meant to save lives, by slowing down the virus and flattening the curb. Not following health directives can spread the virus and place the most vulnerable in harm’s way.”
New Glasgow Regional Police would also like to thank those residents of all Pictou County who are following proactive measures and directives. Also, a special thanks to many residents that are working long hours to help community, neighbors and family in these unprecedented times.
Self-isolation: Nova Scotia borders have tightened to travelers and all entry points (land, sea, air) will be closely managed. Anyone entering the province will be stopped, questioned, and told to self-isolate for 14 days. Exemptions for cross-border travel include healthy workers in trades and transportations sectors who move goods and people (e.g. truck drivers); healthy people going to work (e.g. health-care workers); and people travelling into the province for essential health services (e.g. chemotherapy treatment).

Social distancing: Nova Scotians are required to practice social distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing means limiting your contact with other people – stay about 2 metres (6 feet) apart. Government is requiring individuals, employers and organizations to limit social gatherings to no more than 5 people.

Police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act. If Nova Scotians and businesses do not practice social distancing and self-isolation, they will face fines of $1,000 for individuals and $7,500 for businesses. Multiple fines can be given each day an individual or business fails to comply. Police can also enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act. For example, fines for charging higher than fair market prices for goods and services.
Law enforcement enforce orders under the Emergency Management Act and Health Protection Act. If you are aware of someone not following provincial direction, have a conversation with them first – they may need help. If a call to police is needed, please call a non-emergency number for the police that serve your community. Do not call 911.

Local police non-emergency numbers are:

New Glasgow Regional Police: 902-752-1941

Stellarton Police Department: 902-752-6160

Westville Police Department: 902-396-2777

Pictou County District RCMP:

Stellarton Detachment: 902-755-4141

Pictou Detachment: 902-485-4333