Police Association being 'bullied' in misappropriation probe, says president

The president of the New Brunswick Police Association alleges his members are being "bullied" by an investigator, who is looking into allegations that a Fredericton police officer misappropriated fundsfrom the association while a member ofits executive.

Dean Secord says he has contacteda lawyer about his concerns regarding theinvestigator, whois working on behalf of the New Brunswick Police Commission (NBPC)a police oversight body.

"We are more than willing to co-operate and we want to co-operate to put this matter behind us, but we are not going to be intimidated or bullied to give statements," said Secord, speaking on behalf of the NBPA, alobby group representing police officers at the provincial level.

"[This investigator is] demanding certain items and we have a concern with his demeanour in the way he's demanding this," he said.

Law enforcementobligated to co-operate

The NBPChas been contacted by a lawyer, confirmedexecutive director Steve Roberge. But he contends itwas pertaining to evidence connected to the investigation.

Roberge expects theinvestigation, which wassparked by a conductcomplaint about the unnamed officerby Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch,should be complete in less than six months.

"Our investigatorwill interview all members of the NBPA executive, and if they are law enforcement personnel, then they are obligated, under the Police Act, to co-operate," hesaid.

Secord says he still hasn't been contacted by the investigator. "And I'm the president."

Last month, Secord said the NBPA wouldnot be filing a criminal complaint against the accusedmember, who is currently suspended from the Fredericton Police Force with pay.

Secord saidthe decisionwas taken after the officer paid an amount of money to the NBPA. The paid amount is not necessarily the amount allegedly misappropriated, hesaid.

The jurisdiction for any criminal investigation would rest with theRCMP, because the officer lives outside the city of Fredericton, Secord said.TheRCMPhave refused to comment on the matter.

The NBPC says possible sanctions against an officer it finds guilty of wrongdoing can range from a verbal reprimand to dismissal.