Fredericton paid suspended officers over $400K in 2 years

The Fredericton Police Force has spent more than $1.35 million on disciplinary actions, including salaries for suspended officers and legal fees, in the past decade, CBC News has learned.

The information, obtained through a request under the Right to Information Act, showsthe force paid$875,586.77 in wages toofficers who were suspended with pay since 2007.

Municipal and regional forces in New Brunswickcannot suspend an officer without pay.

• Fredericton police discipline bill $272,700 over 8 years

The Fredericton police also spent$476,685.03 on legal fees relating to arbitration hearings, settlement conferences and Police Act investigations in the same period.

The two most recent calendar years 2014 and 2015 saw the largest combined totals of disciplinary spending and suspension pay.

The force paid $154,530.56in suspension salaries in 2014, and $264,904.84 in 2015.

Legal costs in the same twoyears were$135,732 and$88,727 respectively.

Much of that money was spent on the two high profile cases of formerConst. Cherie Campbell and former Const. Jeff Smiley.

• Const. Jeff Smiley dismissed from Fredericton Police Force
• Fired Fredericton police officer, union criticize chief

Both were fired within the past seven months, following arbitration hearings.Both terminations are now also under judicial reviews.

Two other Fredericton Police officers are currently suspended with pay.

Const. Darrell Brewer is suspended while he facesa charge of impaired driving.

Anotherofficeris suspended while being investigated for allegedmisappropriationoffundsfrom theNew Brunswick Police Association. That officerhad served on the executive of the organization.

Police Chief LeanneFitch declined an interview request with CBC News, but policespokesperson Alycia Bartlett provided the following statement:

"Given that [there] are still judicial review decisions outstanding, the chief will not be able to provide any further comment at this time, so as not to prejudice that process. These are issues that will be addressed in due time."

The Atlantic Council of Carpenters, the union representing Fredericton Police Local 911, also declined to comment on the topic.

Regional managerAndrew Dawson said the union iscurrently incontractnegotiations with the city and he feelsit would be"inappropriateto comment at this time."

The new information comes as the Police Act review process begins in Fredericton this week.

There are31 proposed reforms to the New Brunswick Police Act. They include the ability to beable to suspend officers without pay.