Law restricting access to police gear comes into effect next month

As of May 12, only those authorized will be allowed to have items currently in use by a police agency

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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A new law introduced last March prohibiting the use, possession, sale or reproduction of police-issued items — including uniforms, badges, crests and hats — will come into effect next month.

As of May 12, only those authorized will be allowed to have those items, including active members of a police agency, police cadets, or those who require the police items for work.

Those who are not authorized won’t be able to sell marked police vehicles or possess police vehicle markings and equipment.

In addition, police agencies will need to have disposal policies for uniforms, badges, police vehicles, decals and vehicle equipment. All retired police vehicles will need to be decommissioned, with all equipment, decals and other markings removed.

Those in violation face a penalty of up to $10,000 or three months in jail. Corporations found guilty face a maximum fine of $25,000.  Police can also issue summary offence tickets for violations of the act.

“The dates of April 18 and 19, 2020, will stay in our collective memory for many years to come,” said Brad Johns, Minister of Justice and Attorney General in a news release.

“By strengthening our laws around the use of police vehicles, uniforms and other articles, we are taking steps to help prevent such tragic events from happening again.”

It’s already a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada to impersonate a police officer.

“If you have police items that are currently in use by a police agency in Canada and you’re unauthorized to have them, you must forfeit them or make them unserviceable before the legislation comes into effect,” the province said on its website.

“You can keep ceremonial uniforms and police items that are not currently in use by a police agency in Canada.”

Items can be turned at a local police department for disposal.

More information on what you are and are not allowed to possess can be found online.