Letter shows minister wanted commanding officer of New Brunswick RCMP replaced
The commanding officer of the RCMP in New Brunswick will be replaced at the end of the month, and now a letter has surfaced that suggests provincial Attorney General Hugh Flemming forced him out of the job.
In the letter to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, dated July 15, 2021, Flemming says Assistant Commissioner Larry Tremblay "no longer commands my confidence" and must be replaced.
Flemming goes on to say the force needs to revise its priorities in order to address drug crime in the province, "and demonstrate to New Brunswickers that police recognize that drug-driven crime is by far the top priority for law enforcement in New Brunswick."
"Second it is imperative that we immediately reverse the trend of diminishing RCMP accountability to local government leaders," he wrote.
In an interview Wednesday, Flemming said his decision to write the letter was not made lightly but the impact of illegal drugs and crime-driven drug addiction on communities is growing at a rate that he said was "deeply concerning."
"It became the view of government that fresh leadership in J Division was needed and Assistant Commissioner Tremblay had an exemplary 35-year career, but it was necessary to reinvigorate the relationship and move forward," he told reporters.
According to the 20-year contract between the province and the RCMP that took effect in 2012, the provincial minister sets the objectives, priorities and goals of the Provincial Police Service and the commanding officer acts under the direction of the minister.
The minister also has the power to have the commanding officer replaced.
Section 7.4 reads "The Commanding Officer … will be replaced as soon as practicable after receipt by the Commissioner of a written request from the Provincial Minister that satisfies the Commissioner that sufficient cause exists that the officer concerned no longer commands the confidence of the Provincial Minister."
University of New Brunswick law professor Nicole O'Byrne said, according to the province's agreement with the RCMP, the minister is within his right to seek the removal of the officer, but without knowing Flemming's exact reasons, it creates a perception of political interference in policing.
"That is not in anybody's interest that police are following the directives of a provincial minister. However in this case, the way the service agreement is worded, it appears that Flemming can do what he did," O'Byrne said in an interview Wednesday.
Flemming denies there was any political interference. "When I hear concerns the people of New Brunswick do not feel safe and they do not feel secure in their own communities, I don't think that's political interference, I think that's government doing its job," he said. "The agreement provides for that. I felt it was necessary."
Flemming said Tremblay had a lengthy career and the letter prompted him to decide to retire.
Angela Chang, the director of strategic communications for the New Brunswick RCMP, also said in an email Wednesday that Tremblay made a personal decision to retire at the end of October.
However, she said the force is on track to meet all of its key performance indicators dealing with drug crimes, releasing a chart to back that up.
"We are committed to disrupting and dismantling the trafficking of illegal drugs in our province, targeting those causing the most harm in our communities," she wrote.
But Flemming said that's not good enough. "If I write my own performance review and then I meet my own performance review, it's like marking your own exam," he said.
"The feedback we get is that the situation is consistently deteriorating and that to me is not acceptable."
A new commanding officer for the RCMP in New Brunswick is expected to be named soon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.