The chief of the Saint John Police Force alleges the conduct complaints officers filed against him are “attacks” by the union, timed during contract negotiations to resist change and maintain the status quo “because it benefits them.”
Chief Robert Bruce made the allegations in a statement, as details about the officers’ allegations of harassment and a toxic work environment became public this week through court documents.
Among them are the allegations of Insp. Samantha McInnis that Bruce mocked the mental health struggles of one of his officers in the aftermath of a murder-suicide case by miming providing the officer with a gun and the officer committing suicide.
McInnis also alleged the chief mocked the weight of two officers, used a slur for mentally impaired to describe another and berated a new recruit over his attire.
Most of the alleged incidents occurred at management meetings, and the officers discussed weren’t present, according to the documents.
In his statement Wednesday, Bruce contends that since being appointed in 2021, he has sought every opportunity to build a force that members, the governing board and community can “trust and be proud of.”
“This has not been easy or without significant complications,” wrote Bruce, who previously said in affidavit that he heads a force of about 200, including uniformed, civilian and auxiliary members. The union says there are about 130 sworn officers.
“The workplace culture I inherited was not one that embraced change or innovation.
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