Brad Woodside disappointed by Fredericton police suspensions

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside says he is disappointed by the number of city police officer suspensions, but he supports the force and the police chief.

Woodside said on Thursday that anyone can make a bad decision, but police officers are held to a higher standard.

"We're all disappointed and we want to see changes and I can tell you that I will be asking the minister of justice or the attorney general to have a real hard look at the Police Act," he said Friday.

Five officers have been suspended and another two are slated for hearings on allegations of misconduct ranging from shoplifting and misappropriating funds, to impaired driving and assault.

A sixth officer's conduct involving hitting a pedestrian with a police cruiser is under review, but the officer has not been suspended.

Woodside said he thinks the New Brunswick Police Act needs to be reviewed with respect to how suspended police officers are treated.

"I think it is encumbering police chiefs. I think it's outdated. And when we have problems we want to deal with them," he said.

"I have a problem with people being out two years, getting full pay and sitting at home doing nothing. You know, there's got to be a better way to deal with it."

Chief Leanne Fitch and officials with the New Brunswick Police Association say the high number of suspensions is a reflection of better transparency and accountability within the force.

On Thursday, Fitch told reporters that she does not believe there are systemic problems within her force.

But she conceded the number of officers, who are either suspended or under review, is "unusual."

On the other hand, the New Brunswick Police Commission had harsh words for the force in a posting on its website.

"The alleged criminal conduct we are witnessing of late by a very small segment of the Fredericton Police Force is, if substantiated through the disciplinary process, a humiliation to their profession and a breach of the public's trust. It undermines the great accomplishments of this police force," the statement said.