Former Ontario police watchdog begins Fredericton Police Force review next week

Fredericton Police Force has asked outside counsel to investigate their procedures after two stays of proceedings in murder cases.

The appointment of Ontario’s former police watchdog to investigate the “error” which led to a stay in proceedings for two New Brunswick murder cases is encouraging according to a leading Canadian public safety analyst.

On Wednesday, Fredericton Police Chief Gary Forward announced Ian D. Scott would review the “insurmountable evidentiary” issues that led to the stay in proceeding for the 2021 death of Corey Christopher Markey and the 2022 death of Brandon Donelan.

Five people had been facing charges in connection to the deaths, including one individual who was accused of being involved in both, before the stay of proceedings was announced in late June.

CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis said such incidents don’t happen often.

“There have been similar cases in the past across the country, where somehow or another evidence was improperly gathered or not disclosed to the Crown, which caused a stay in proceedings,” said Lewis. “In this case, the announcement by the chief to investigate that shows me there’s obviously more of an inadvertent issue here. But time will tell.”

Scott, an Ontario lawyer, was director of Ontario’s special investigations unit from 2008 to 2013. Lewis called Scott “very reputable” and a “highly experienced individual” in the field.

“He will disclose whatever he can to the public because I know he has a strong belief in the public having a need to know,” said Lewis.

Chief Forward hasn’t given an interview about the error, nor the review. Justice Minister Rob McKee and Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin haven’t responded to requests for comment.

In a statement, Chief Forward said the police force took “full responsibility and accountability for the circumstances that led to this outcome.”

“As part of our acknowledgement and commitment to public trust, we are taking immediate steps to examine the error caused on our part and to prevent a recurrence,” said Forward’s statement.

Lewis said such a review was imperative in restoring public trust.

“No police service can survive without public trust,” said Lewis. “Without public trust, victims don’t come forward, witnesses don’t come forward, the public has no faith and trust in the organization. You cannot do that in any society.”

Scott’s review will start on Tuesday and should be finished by the end of the year.

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