Dennis Oland murder conviction spurs investigation into Saint John Police Force

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Police Commission has asked for a review of several aspects of the Saint John Police Force’s investigation into the death of Richard Oland.

Since Dennis Oland was found guilty Saturday of murdering his father, Richard Oland, there have been calls for the force to be looked at with a closer lens.

The Saint John Police investigation into the death of Richard Oland came under scrutiny at the trial of Dennis Oland, specifically in the trial’s early stages. It was also mentioned in Mister Justice Jack Walsh’s lengthy final charge to the jury.

“If anything, their police work was questionable at best,” said criminology professor Dr. Michael Boudreau.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If anything, their police work was questionable at best," said criminology professor Dr. Michael Boudreau.

READ MORE: Dennis Oland defence team to appeal second-degree murder conviction

Justice Walsh, in his charge to the jury, noted police failed to prevent too many people from accessing the crime scene, to keep anyone from using the washroom on the second floor of the office building before it was tested, failed to ensure the back door wasn’t touched and failed to ask the pathologist if a drywall hammer could have been the murder weapon.

“At a crime scene, who should be there, who should not be there, how evidence is gathered, how it is then processed and turned over to the crown. I think those are all pertinent questions,” Boudreau said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "At a crime scene, who should be there, who should not be there, how evidence is gathered, how it is then processed and turned over to the crown. I think those are all pertinent questions," Boudreau said.

The New Brunswick Police Commission announced Tuesday it will investigate the way police gathered evidence that allowed the Crown to build their case.

Commission chairperson Nicole Pacquet said the board has asked the commission to review, “the Saint John Police Force’s investigation of the areas of question that were brought forward by Justice Walsh in his instructions to the jury.”

She added the Commission will work with the investigative team to ensure, “the public’s confidence in the Saint John Police Force’s investigative procedures and protocols related to this case.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: She added the Commission will work with the investigative team to ensure, "the public's confidence in the Saint John Police Force's investigative procedures and protocols related to this case."

READ MORE: Dennis Oland chokes back tears, tells courtroom he misses his father during testimony

Saint John Police Chief John Bates told Global News Tuesday he’s aware of the suggestions being made about his force, and will address them at a later date. He wouldn’t get into specifics.

Results and recommendations stemming from this investigation will be forwarded to the Minister of Public Safety.

A jury found Dennis Oland guilty of second-degree murder on Saturday after four days of deliberations.