Officers with the Codiac RCMP are returning to work after a period of mourning following the shooting deaths of three of their colleagues in Moncton on June 4.
The officers have been on leave since a funeral for constables Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, Douglas James Larche and Dave Joseph Ross was held on June 10.
Officers from other jurisdictions have been filling in since the funeral, but the first of the local Mounties returned to work Monday.
“As members are cleared, they are going to go back and those that are there in Codiac working now, working to replace those members, they will return back to their home units,” says Const. Jullie Rogers-March.
About 200 RCMP officers and support staff have been assessed by doctors and psychologists.
The chair of the police commission says replacing all of Codiac’s members was no small task, but he says it went well.
“I don’t think the people of Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview saw any difference in the policing,” says Nick LeBlanc of the Codiac Regional Policing Authority. “In fact, I know they didn’t, and they saw more vehicles with the men that were here.”
Moncton residents John and Tanya Majenskey say they are still haunted by the tragic events of June 4 and their hearts break for the officers returning to work.
“Everybody was affected by this and I think we are all very grateful,” says Tanya.
“To think about what they have to go through mentally and physically, to walk into a locker room and maybe see the names gone off the lockers,” says John.
“God bless you and thank you. You are not dealing with the burden on your own. The whole city, not just our city, everybody’s city is behind you and with you.”
Police say the officers’ return to work will be gradual and on a case-by-case basis.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
