WOODSTOCK, N.B. -- The top Mountie in New Brunswick says the suspension of four RCMP members from the Woodstock area while they are investigated for allegations of discreditable conduct is troubling for the force.
"I'm probably puzzled as much as you are and saying to myself, how could this happen where I have four police officers in one detachment suspended?" Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown told a news conference Tuesday in Fredericton.
Brown said he can't get into specifics about the allegations while the four are under investigation, but he did say they are not drug related.
The Mounties say they're acting on information that resulted in three suspensions in early November.
A fourth member from the area was suspended Tuesday.
In addition to the investigation under the RCMP's code of conduct, the Mounties' major crime unit will determine whether there is any criminality related to the allegations.
Brown said the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force is providing independent oversight of the investigation.
The initial information came to light as the result of a separate investigation and there were several incidents that resulted in the suspensions, Brown said.
All four members of the RCMP have been suspended with pay but Brown said he is pursuing suspension without pay in two of the cases.
He said it's significant to have four members suspended from a detachment of 20 officers.
"It's very embarrassing for me as a commanding officer to be before you and tell you that I've had to suspend four of our own. These members now have to account for their actions," he said.
Brown said he doesn't know if there could be more officers suspended and will let the investigations run their course and take as long as necessary.
"When I get to the bottom of this I will make the appropriate decisions that have to be made moving forward, up to and including, if warranted, that these individuals are no longer members of the (Royal Canadian) Mounted Police," Brown said.
He said the suspensions should not take away from the good work being done by police across the province.
"The conduct of members of the RCMP is rightfully held to a higher standard," Brown said. "These suspensions are troubling but I can assure the public we are taking these matters very seriously."
