The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, announced today that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will establish a stand-alone Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).
The team will be independent and will investigate all matters involving death, serious injury, sexual offence, and domestic violence as well as other matters of significant public interest that involve police. Police agencies in the province have indicated their support for a Serious Incident Response Team.
There is currently a job competition to retain a SIRT director. Once recruited, it will be the director’s responsibility to establish the team. The department will work closely with the director to provide the assistance and support necessary during this time. The job advertisement can be found at www.hiring.gov.nl.ca/Jobs.aspx/Public.
Minister Parsons will be available to media to discuss the plan for SIRT in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building, at 10:00 a.m.
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“It is crucial that people in Newfoundland and Labrador have faith in the administration of justice. Establishing SIRT in this province will provide an increased level of transparency and help ensure people have trust in the system. By having a stand-alone model, we will ensure that there will be a team on the ground to deal with any investigations in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Learn more
Minister Parsons Introduces Legislation to Establish Serious Incident Response Team
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Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
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