Mel Norton's criticism of police chief sparks backlash

Criticism of retiring Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid by Mayor Mel Norton has brought a sharp reaction from Saint John councillors and the head of the police commission.

Earlier in the week, Norton's musing about the qualities he'd like to see in a new police chief veered into criticism of the outgoing chief's ability to manage the department's budget.

Norton said the new chief should be someone who "restores a level of confidence" in the budget management of the police force.

"We don't have a lot of confidence generally speaking in the community in the — especially — the leadership from a financial budget-control perspective at the department," said Norton.

Saint John Police Commission chair Nicole Paquet said she was "appalled" at Norton's comment.

"He wasn't speaking on behalf of the commission," said Paquet. "We've never discussed a lack of confidence in the chief."

Norton and his brother, Coun. Greg Norton, both served on the police commission and Pacquet said they both approved a union contract this year that includes wage increases that are directly tied to a budget increase for the department.

"They need to stand up as commission members and stand behind that and stand behind their chief," said Paquet. "And understand that — you know — there are real dollars associated with that, that the chief was asked to find, and he did find it."

All city departments had been instructed to hold the line on their budgets for 2015, but last April members of the police union secured the three-year contract renewal giving them pay increases of 4.5 per cent in the first year and 3.75 per cent in each of the last two years of the contract.

The deal avoided mandatory arbitration and followed two years of zero per cent increases for union members. Instead of holding the line, the 2015 police budget came in at $24.2 million, a 3.1 per cent increase.

Paquet says Reid had a difficult job in difficult financial times. She points to praise that has poured in for Reid for his work on community policing, intelligence-based policing, and for drastically lower crime rates in the city.

Coun. John MacKenzie is also a police commission member and said he has "confidence in the police department and the chief."

"I'd like to see the good work that's been done continue down the road."

Coun. Shirley McAlary said Norton's remarks are "not the opinion of council."

"I think Bill Reid has done a good job as chief of police."

Reid did not respond to a request for comment from CBC News.