The Nova Scotia government has appointed Erin Nauss as the director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT).

Her five-year appointment begins today, according to a news release from the provincial government.

“It’s an honour to be appointed, and I look forward to continuing to work with the SiRT team, the community and police,” writes Nauss in the release.

SiRT investigates serious incidents involving police in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is independent of the government and of police agencies.

Nauss served as SiRT’s interim director for the last seven months.

The government says she has 18 years of legal experience, and joined the Nova Scotia Department of Justice in 2007 as a solicitor. In 2011, she was involved with SiRT’s creation under the Police Act.

She will oversee a team of seven investigators, an assistant director and administrators in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

In the 2022-23 year, SiRT opened 55 files and investigated 44 cases. As a result, six police officers were charged that year.

In the 2023-24 year, SiRT opened 53 files and investigated 39 cases. As a result, seven police officers were charged as of Feb. 23, 2024, the release says.

“The Serious Incident Response Team has an important mandate on behalf of Nova Scotians,” writes Barbara Adams, who was recently appointed Minister of Justice. “Ms. Nauss has done an exceptional job leading SiRT as interim director, and we’re pleased to appoint her as permanent director.”