Leanne Fitch addresses concerns about Fredericton police actions

Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch says she shares a level of disappointment after a series of officers have been suspended or are under review, a number that she concedes is "unusual."

The police chief spoke to the media for more than 30 minutes on Thursday to answer questions about the problems facing the police force

"I also know that this feeling of disappointment is present in our community," Fitch said in a news conference.

"It is my responsibility as your chief of police to be honest and transparent, as we seek to uphold the public's trust as police officers serving the capital city. We will not shirk away from this responsibility."

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."

"I don't remember this many people suspended at once, hence we are having a press conference, it is abnormal," she said.

"I assure the public and my members that these recent suspensions do not reflect the overall performance of the good women and men in the police department," she said.

"I cannot emphasize enough that the city remains in good hands and public safety remains our number one priority."

Two Fredericton officers have been suspended with pay after being arrested for impaired driving while off-duty.

Other allegations involving other Fredericton officers include shoplifting, misappropriation of funds and assault and firearms issues. 

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

Fitch had not spoken publicly on any of the individual incidents until Thursday's news conference.

New Brunswick Police Commission reaction

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," said the commentary.

The commission said police officers cannot carry out their duties without the public trust.

"That trust must be earned through ongoing, consistent, professional conduct," it added.

Suspended police officers

The nine municipal police forces in New Brunswick have a combined total of five officers suspended, all of which are in Fredericton.

Here is the breakdown of suspensions facing police officers in the province.

• ​RCMP in New Brunswick: 6 (one is a Codiac RCMP officer in Moncton)
• Fredericton Police Force: 5
• Saint John Police Force: 0
• Bathurst City Police: 0* (the two officers involved in the Michel Vienneau shooting are on desk duty)
• BNPP Regional Police: 0
• Edmundston Police Force: 0
• Miramichi Police Force: 0
• Grand Falls Police Force: 0
• Kennebecasis Regional Police Force: 0
• Woodstock Police Force: 0

Police Act changes needed

The Fredericton police chief also addressed concerns that she has heard in the public that suspended officers are still being paid.

Fitch said local forces do not have the authority to suspend an officer without pay.

She said the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police has been pushing for changes to the Police Act for several years. One of the reforms the organization is advocating for is the ability to suspend an officer without pay.

"It is not lost on me or the vast majority of members of our force that suspensions with pay during lengthy criminal and Police Act cases do have an impact on public perception of fairness," she said.

"I assure you that this can be equally difficult on police officers who are left carrying the burden of working extra hard and remaining on active duty during times of intense public scrutiny and criticism in the absence of suspended peers. It is both an unfair and unfortunate position to be in."

The police chief also pointed out that when officers are suspended without pay, that time still counts toward their pensions.

However, when an officer is out on maternity or parental leave, that time does not count toward their pensions.

"That is just not a fair process," Fitch said.

"I think some of the fundamental changes that we are trying to make in the Police Act would be more palatable to the officers, to taxpayers, to council, to your senior managers."