Head of N.B. police commission should be removed over comments: police union

The New Brunswick Police Association is calling for the removal of the executive director of the New Brunswick Police Commission over comments he made about officers working in the province.

The comments, made by Steve Roberge, are at the heart of a relationship turned sour.

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“The New Brunswick Police Commission and Mr. Roberge have made public statements that police officers must be held to a higher standard,” said Dean Secord, president of the police association. “This applies to the executive director of the New Brunswick Police Commission as well.”

The police commission is investigating a complaint against Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch while another Fredericton police officer is facing charges for assault. In Saint John, the police commission is examining the local police force’s handling of a high-profile murder investigation.

On Thursday, Secord called on the commission to remove Roberge from his position.

“The faults and damaging statements by Mr. Roberge as outlined above, caused our lawyer’s letter…to also request the New Brunswick Police Commission to remove Mr. Steve Roberge as executive director,” he said.

Association executives called Roberge’s comments slanderous and misleading and said if an officer had made them, the officer would be in front of an arbitrator.

The association previously requested a retraction and apology for Roberge’s comments, which it received on Monday. It is now awaiting a response from the commission and says if Roberge is not removed, it could result in legal action.

Roberge recently said he could not respond to remarks from the police association while a criminal investigation into their executives was ongoing.

Although a former member of the executive is under investigation, the current executives are not.