Advocate for the implementation of stronger civilian oversight of police services, including the creation of a Police Oversight Board that is independent of police, civilian-led, politically neutral, and representative of the province’s diverse communities.

Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act passed but not yet implemented

In March 2025, the NL House of Assembly passed the Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act (LEOC), which will replace the existing complaints process under the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992. The new Act establishes a more empowered and truly independent commissioner to receive and investigate (non-criminal) complaints concerning RNC officers, initiate investigations where matters of public interest arise, review RNC policies and procedures, and publish de-identified summaries of decisions.

These changes reflect several recommendations from Building Trust, Restoring Confidence, a 2022 report developed by the First Voice Working Group on Police Oversight under the leadership of First Light. That report called for stronger and more transparent complaints processes, alongside an independent, civilian-led Police Oversight Board representative of the province’s diverse communities. Although the Act received Royal Assent on March 18, 2025, it will not take effect until proclaimed.

Policing survey underscores concerns about accountability and public confidence

In May 2025, the Policing Transformation Working Group, established in 2023 to evaluate NL’s system of policing, released the results of a province-wide public survey on police services. First Light was among the community organizations that provided input into the survey’s design. The results illustrate a striking lack of public confidence in policing among residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Approximately 4,500 people from 240 communities responded. The survey found that Indigenous individuals were less likely to expect that police officers would respond to their reports of crime. Only one-third of all respondents believed police officers are held accountable for misconduct, with concerns about accountability particularly pronounced among Indigenous and low-income respondents. The findings reinforce the need for a system of police oversight and governance that is independent, transparent, accessible, and trusted by the public.

Justice Minister commits to introducing comprehensive Police Act

In March 2026, Minister of Justice and Public Safety Helen Conway Ottenheimer committed to reviewing the Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act and introducing a broader and more comprehensive Police Act in the fall of 2026. First Light has continued to engage with the Minister and senior officials at the Department of Justice and Public Safety on both initiatives, including through meetings and several written submissions to the Policing Transformation Working Group.

First Light has emphasized that any new policing legislation should build on the foundation laid by LEOC and the community-driven recommendations in Building Trust, Restoring Confidence. Priorities must include strengthening civilian governance, public accountability, and Indigenous representation across police oversight and governance bodies. While details of the proposed Police Act have not yet been made available, its development is an important opportunity to modernize policing across the province and make both police services more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the communities they serve.

For the Department of Justice and Public Safety (JPS):

• Proclaim the Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act.
• Follow through on the commitment to introduce a comprehensive Police Act. It must include a Police Oversight Board that is independent of police, civilian-led, politically neutral, and representative of the province’s diverse communities.