There’s a shared feeling of disappointment within the ranks of the Fredericton police department with the suspension of five city officers according a statement by chief Leanne Fitch.
The city police chief says that they will continue to hold their officers accountable and be open with members of the community about their faults and the corrective measures they are taking.
Fitch addressing the most recent arrest of an off-duty officer on Sunday night for impaired driving, saying that while she can’t say a lot about it since it will soon be before the courts, the officers responding knew the suspect involved was an off-duty member and that didn’t stop them from doing a thorough and responsible investigation.
Fitch also responding to concerns from the public around officers being suspended with pay, saying that the provincial law states that a police chief can only suspend with pay as criminal and police act investigations and proceedings are going on. She says it’s not lost on her that these paid suspensions do have an impact on the public perception of fairness.
She says she will not hide or shirk away from making tough decisions.
