Fredericton Police officer facing criminal charge abroad

Fredericton Police say three officers on the force are facing separate allegations. The first relates to a criminal act in another country, the second to impaired driving while off-duty, and a third relates to conduct while on-duty.

The officer facing criminal allegations out of the country is currently suspended.

The force says it completed an investigation under the Police Act and is waiting for an arbitration process to begin.

Fredericton Police would not comment on the nature of the criminal allegations, or on the country where the charges have been laid.

A second officer is being investigated for alleged impaired driving in Fredericton on the morning of July 8. The officer was not on duty at the time.

Miramichi Police are handling the investigation and the officer is suspended with pay. 

Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch has filed a complaint with the New Brunswick Police Commission (NBPC) about the alleged impaired driving incident.

Investigation on hold

The NBPC investigation is on hold until the criminal investigation is complete.

The NBPC is an independent civilian body that investigates complaints about the conduct of any police officer in New Brunswick.

"It's a conduct complaint against a member of the Fredericton Police Force," said NBPC Executive Director Steve Roberge. "As a result of some criminal elements to the complaint, the New Brunswick Police Commission has suspended its Police Act investigation."

Fredericton Police say they are also looking into a citizen's complaint against a third member of the force, pertaining to the officer's "on-duty course of work."

Last month, Chief Leanne Fitch filed two complaints with the NBPC about two other officers.

The first was relating to an allegation that an officer misappropriated funds from the New Brunswick Police Association (NBPA).

The NBPA is a lobby group for officers. It has decided not to file a criminal complaint with the RCMP.

The second complaint came after a Fredericton Police cruiser struck a pedestrian on June 20. Witnesses told CBC News that the officer put the injured man in the back of his cruiser and drove away instead of remaining at the scene and calling for help.

A Fredericton Police Force spokesperson has said the pedestrian was treated in hospital for "very minor injuries" and released, and that speed was not a factor.