Lacey Tompkins was told by police to cover up while topless at Dominion Park Beach in July. After she filed a complaint, the Saint John Police Force apologized and said there was no legal basis for the officer’s direction.
Letter from acting chief says there was no legal basis for tellilng Lacey Tompkins to cover up at beach
Polina Kozlova · CBC News
· Posted: Sep 03, 2026 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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Lacey Tompkins of Saint John filed a complaint after police told her in July that she couldn’t be topless at Dominion Park Beach. (Submitted by Lacey Tompkins)
A Saint John woman who was told by police to cover up while topless at a city beach this summer has received a formal apology from the Saint John Police Force.
Lacey Tompkins was at Dominion Park Beach on July 25 when she took off her bikini top while sunbathing. She said a lifeguard approached her and told her to cover up.
When she declined, a police officer also told her she needed to alter her attire.
Tompkins said she was surprised by the request because she understood that women can be topless in public in Canada.
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