Fredericton police chief Leanne Fitch cleared by commission

Fredericton police chief LeanneFitch, and seven of her officers, havebeencleared of wrongdoing by the New Brunswick Police Commission in the Jeff Smiley case.

Const.Jeff Smiley, of the Fredericton Police Force,laida complaint with the commission, alleging various contraventions of the New Brunswick Police Act.

• Two suspended officers get arbitration dates
• Assault charge against Const. Jeffrey Smiley dismissed
• Fredericton officer accused ofdomestic assault

Steve Roberge, theexecutive director of the New Brunswick Police Commission, says, "We've exonerated the police officers involved."

He would not release the details of the complaints other than to say they were related to the Police Act code of conduct, "especially given that all members have been exhonerated."

Roberge says the police commission'sinvestigator "came to the conclusion that none ofthe allegations could be sustained."

Smiley made the complaint in January. Hehas said he believesFitchis attempting to end his career.

In October 2014, adomestic assault charge against Smiley wasdismissed over a jurisdictional issue.

He was accused of assaulting his live-in girlfriend on Feb. 17, 2014.

However, as theassault is alleged to have occurred at Smiley's parents's house in Nova Scotia, Fredericton police did not have the authority to lay the charge.

Smiley now has an arbitration hearing before the New Brunswick Police Commission scheduled for November and another for May 2016.

CBC News contacted Police Chief Fitch and was told she is away and unavailable for an interview. But the police chief issued an email statement.

"On behalf of the Fredericton Police Force, myself and the affected members named in these complaints, we are pleased that due process has concluded, and that those involved in this unfortunate and complicated matter were acting in good faith and have been exonerated of any wrong doing in the course of our duty," the statement said.

Smiley, a decorated officer,has been suspended with pay since he was charged, pending the outcome of the criminal court proceedings.

He received theStar of Couragefrom the Governor Generalin December 2013 forpulling a 73-year-old woman from her car after it plungedinto the St. John River on Jan. 8, 2012.

Smiley jumped into the frigidwater to break the window and rescue Shirley Foster.

He also received a Commanding Officer Commendation in April 2012 for the rescue.

The New BrunswickPolice Commission's decisions are final. According to Robergethey are only subject tojudicialreview.