The police chief of Saint John is seeking involvement in a legal case where nine officers are challenging the dismissal of their workplace harassment complaints against him by the New Brunswick Police Commission and the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners. Chief Robert Bruce, who assumed his role in July 2021, aims to have a say in the matter despite not being a formal party in the court proceedings.
The officers, including Sgt. Andrew Belyea, Staff Sgt. Andrew MacBean, and others, filed for a judicial review of the decisions made by the oversight bodies. The complaints were dismissed under the New Brunswick Police Act due to being deemed frivolous, vexatious, or lacking good faith. The nature of the complaints remains undisclosed as court documents are temporarily sealed.
Efforts to maintain public confidence in law enforcement have led to a request for a publication ban and sealing order on the court documents by the Saint John board. The board and the provincial commission are pushing for a dismissal of the case, arguing that the complainants lack the legal standing for a judicial review.
An advocacy group for municipal officers in New Brunswick has urged Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the workplace environment within the Saint John Police Force. The group expressed concerns about workplace harassment impacting officers and their families.
The ongoing situation involving complaints against the police chief and officers on leave or modified duty has drawn attention to potential internal issues within the force. Criminology professor Michael Boudreau emphasized the significance of addressing these concerns promptly to maintain the overall functionality of the force.
Chief Robert Bruce, a former Ontario Provincial Police superintendent with extensive experience in various departments, had committed to a three to five-year tenure upon his appointment as the Saint John police chief.