Police investigating ‘unauthorized release’ of mass shooting 911 recordings

The Nova Scotia RCMP has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to conduct a criminal investigation into the “unauthorized release” of the April 2020 mass shooting 911 recordings.

The investigation will determine if any charges are warranted and the RCMP will support the investigation as required.

“It is important for Nova Scotians to have faith that, when they call 911, their information will be protected,” an RCMP news release says.

Last month, Frank Magazine published three leaked 911 call recordings from the night of the Portapique mass shooting.

The RCMP says that as soon as it learned the 911 recordings had been released, its “first priority” was to speak with the victims' families via a liaison officer and ensure the families the police would conduct an investigation.

Nova Scotia's Emergency 911 Act refers to the requirement for calls to remain confidential, but it doesn't mention anything about a media outlet publishing the recordings if they were leaked.

Further updates on the investigation will come from the Ontario Provincial Police since it's leading the investigation.