New Brunswick Police Commission – Fredericton, NB

New Brunswick Police Commission (Commission de police du N.-B.)

The New Brunswick Police Commission (NBPC) acts as the primary independent civilian oversight body for policing within the province. Established in 1977 under the authority of the Police Act, the Commission is headquartered in downtown Fredericton on King Street. Its fundamental mission is to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that police officers and police forces in New Brunswick accountable to the communities they serve. Unlike the police forces themselves, the Commission functions at arms-length from government and law enforcement agencies, reporting directly to the Minister of Public Safety only for administrative purposes.

Oversight and Jurisdiction

The Commission’s jurisdiction specifically covers the province’s municipal and regional police forces (such as the Fredericton Police Force, Saint John Police Force, and Kennebecasis Regional Police Force). It does not have jurisdiction over the RCMP; complaints regarding the RCMP must be directed to the federal Civilian Review and Complaints Commission. The NBPC is composed of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, ensuring a diverse representation of the public.

The Public Complaint Process

One of the Commission’s most visible roles is managing the investigation of complaints. There are two distinct types of complaints the Commission handles:

• Conduct Complaints: These allege misconduct by an individual police officer (e.g., excessive force, rudeness, neglect of duty). While these are often investigated initially by the Chief of Police of the respective force, the Commission monitors the process to ensure impartiality. If the complaint is against a Chief or Deputy Chief, the Commission manages the file directly.
• Service or Policy Complaints: These relate to the broader operations of a police department (e.g., response times, lack of patrols in a neighbourhood, or specific departmental policies).

Investigation and Arbitration

The Commission aims for informal resolution whenever possible, encouraging mediation between the citizen and the officer. However, if a serious breach of the Code of Professional Conduct Regulation is identified, the matter may proceed to a formal Arbitration Hearing. These hearings are quasi-judicial proceedings where evidence is presented, and an arbitrator makes a binding decision, which can range from a reprimand to dismissal of the officer.

Visiting the Office

The Commission’s offices are located in Suite 202 at 435 King Street (King’s Place Mall complex). Members of the public can visit to file a complaint in person or seek assistance with the forms. The staff provide services in both English and French. It is important to note that the Commission is an administrative body, not a police station; they do not dispatch officers to emergencies.