Eight officers from the Saint John Police Force have decided to drop their pursuit of a court review regarding the dismissal of their conduct complaints against the former police chief. The officers cited that the retirement of Chief Robert Bruce has rendered the proceedings under the Police Act moot. This decision came after a case management conference scheduled for September 28 was canceled.
Previously, the officers had filed an application for a judicial review following the dismissal of their complaints by the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners and the New Brunswick Police Commission. The complaints included accusations of harassment, bullying, and an unhealthy work environment. However, none of these allegations were legally tested.
While an expert described the conclusion of the process as regrettable, she suggested that an independent review of the policing oversight system in New Brunswick might be necessary. The officers who filed the complaints included various ranks and years of service within the police force.
The former police chief, Robert Bruce, acknowledged below-standard actions and took responsibility for them. He mentioned that most allegations were dismissed and attributed the complaints to union tactics. Despite some confirmed inappropriate behavior by Bruce, the investigator did not find evidence to support claims of harassment or a toxic work environment.
The officers had accused the board of bias and had requested a judicial review to challenge the dismissals of their complaints. However, all parties involved eventually agreed that the application was no longer relevant after Chief Bruce’s retirement. The New Brunswick Police Commission and the Department of Justice are currently reviewing the Police Act and considering suggestions for enhancing policing oversight in the province.
As the search for a new police chief in Saint John continues, Neal Fowler is serving as the acting chief. The process of finding a successor and the details surrounding it have not been disclosed to the public. Chief Bruce, who was granted a contract extension before his retirement, served as the police chief for five years.