The Saint John Police Association wants the province to investigate whether Mayor Don Darling has contravened the Police Act.
The association’s concerns come after strong criticism from the union in connection with the 2018 municipal budget, which saw the police department take a $1.25-million hit.
READ MORE: Saint John police, fire decry planned 2018 budget cuts
The union held a news conference on Monday, saying the role of council is to ensure necessary funding to maintain adequate policing while remaining at arm’s-length from the force.
“Under Section 3.1, sub 3, sub B of the Police Act, a chief of police shall have all the powers necessary to manage and direct the police force,” said Dean Secord of the Saint John Police Association. “Mayor Darling is undermining this legislative authority.”
The union says it feels the mayor, who is a member of the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners, has basically taken over the body.
“No chief that is highly qualified, as Chief Bates is, is going to work in a political interference environment that has been created by Mayor Darling,” said Secord.
The Saint John Board of Police Commissioners says it was surprised by the chief’s retirement announcement after just more than two years on the job. Its chair denies accusations the mayor is interfering with the commission.
“Everybody comes to the table with their opinion and their lens and certainly [Darling] does as I would and as all my fellow commissioners would,” said commission chairperson, Jennifer Carhart.
WATCH: Saint John police say budget cuts could affect community policing
Carhart also confirms a member of the commission has recently stepped aside but she encourages the public not to read into the timing.
In an email sent to Global News, Bates said he wasn’t fielding specific questions on the matter. He says he has a great amount of respect and admiration for the police force and is committed to making the transition to new leadership as “seamless as possible.”
The police association says it wants to meet with the province over the situation and wants the Minister of Public Safety to get involved.
“If that happens and we have a person always interfering, as the mayor is, where else will it happen,” added Secord, who is also the president of the New Brunswick Police Association.
Darling has yet to comment on the accusations being made. He says he was not present at the news conference and did not hear them directly.
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