Saint John police chief makes statement on harassment complaints

Saint John Police Chief Robert Bruce is pictured. (Saint John Police Force)

Saint John Police Chief Robert Bruce has released a lengthy statement as it relates to a New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench decision on March 16.

The decision relates to the lifting of a publication ban on the complaints made against the chief in September by multiple members of the Saint John Police Force, which was overturned in mid-March after being challenged by other media outlets.

Details about the complaints are now publicly available through request, which CTV News Atlantic has reached out to the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench for. None of the alleged complaints against the chief have been tested in court.

In the statement, the chief says he was first made aware of complaints made against him by some members of the Saint John Police Force in July 2025. The chief says he fully cooperated with the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners, the New Brunswick Police Commission and an independent third-party investigator throughout the process.

He says the majority of the allegations against him were found to be “vexatious, frivolous, and not made in good faith” and were dismissed.

“For the few remaining allegations, I took full responsibility for any action the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners or the New Brunswick Police Commission deemed below the standard expected of the Saint John Police Chief through the informal resolution process under the Police Act,” reads part of the statement dated March 30 but which wasn’t released until April 8.

The chief claims that since he was appointed to the role in July 2021, he has “worked tirelessly” to enhances the force’s work within the community.

But he says change has not been easy or without significant complications.

“The workplace culture I inherited was not one that embraced change or innovation,” the statement reads. “There has been much resistance, specifically from the Saint John Police Association Executive, which seeks to maintain the status quo because it benefits them.

“The Saint John Police Association actions are disappointing and predictable,” continues the statement. “Similar tactics and attempts to discredit were employed by the union before my arrival against previous police management, chiefs of police, City managers, City councillors, and the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners. These attacks move us farther from the modern, responsive police force the residents of Saint John expect and deserve.”

Chief Bruce also highlighted the timing of the allegations against him. He says the complaints were made by the association during a “challenging labour relations process” that began in 2024 after the expiration of the collective agreement. They agreement was addressed through arbitration at the end of 2025.

The statement ended with the chief saying he remains full committed to his role and serving the people of Saint John. The statement said no further comment by the chief would be given at the time.

Bob Davidson, a representative for the Saint John Police Association and the New Brunswick Police Association, said the chief is trying to do “damage control.”

“First of all, it shows the mentality of the person,” Davidson said. “I don’t care where those statements were made. They’re trying to say, ‘Oh, they were made off the record behind closed doors.’ Those statements coming out of the mouth of a chief of police tell the mentality of that person, and that mentality is one of nonsupport to our officers, attack our officers, and it shows the type of person the chief is.

“Those statements made anywhere are non-professional and they are disgusting from a chief of police. I’ve been here 49 years and no chief of police has ever said anything like that against any member of the police force in my 49 years. It demoralizes the police officers and they’re going they’re going to read all this. I mean, everybody in Saint John’s is going to be reading this.”

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