From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Subject: RE The Fredericton Police Force Community Engagement Unit
To: <Fpf.media@fredericton.ca>, <jennifer.sweet@cbc.ca>, <PoliceChief@fredericton.ca>, <David.Cooper@fredericton.ca>, <Frank.Levesque@fredericton.ca>, <brian.ford@fredericton.ca>, <David.Banks@fredericton.ca>, <cityclerk@fredericton.ca>, <councillorsandmayor@fredericton.ca>, mayor <mayor@fredericton.ca>, <communications@fredericton.ca>
Cc: Susan.Holt <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>, David.Coon <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, Mike.Comeau <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, <ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca>
Fredericton hires retired police officers for community policing unit
Community officers will handle statements for minor crimes, lost property calls, general assistance
Six retired police officers have returned to work in a new unit of the Fredericton Police Force, including Stephen Horsman, former New Brunswick justice and public safety minister.
"I want to keep busy," said the 63-year-old Horsman, who has done volunteering and supply teaching since his exit from politics in 2020. He previously worked as a Fredericton police officer for 25 years.
According to the police force, he was one of many retired officers who were interested in paid, full- and part-time positions with the new community engagement unit.
Being a police officer is kind of a calling, said Staff Sgt. Justin LeBlanc, who will oversee the group.
"They like to stay engaged. They like to help the community. That's what they've done their entire careers."
After an interview process, the other selected candidates were Andrea Sullivan, John Lally, Joan Crane, Andrew Miller and Ronnie Francis.
They stood out and have always been reliable and great with the public, LeBlanc said.
The new unit has some "wonderful people," agreed Horsman, and they've been given a warm welcome.
Stephen
Horsman, who retired from the police force in 2012 and went to a career
in politics, said that in both roles, he always tried to use a
neighbourly approach. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The community engagement officers started Monday, after being sworn-in by a provincial court judge last week to make sure that they understood the rules about things like confidentiality and that they're going to be good stewards of the police department, he said.
"Quite a lot has changed," said Horsman, including the equipment that regular officers have to wear, such as body cameras.
But he doesn't expect to be using any newfangled gear or that his experience at the top of the provincial public safety hierarchy will change the way he does policing.
Horsman, who retired from the police force in 2012, said that in both roles, he always tried to use a neighbourly approach.
"Just by talking to people … I think that's how we can help our community and keep our community safer," he said.
Horsman said he's glad to be back at the department and to have an opportunity to help the community as well as front-line police officers. He hopes the unit will continue beyond the initial six-month pilot period.
The new unit was created to respond to concerns about crime and safety from the community and concerns about workload from police officers, LeBlanc said.
Because of staffing shortages and a high number of calls for service, regular officers have been spending all their time dealing with high priority items, he said, while other less urgent, but still important things, including traffic enforcement, have fallen by the wayside.
Many officers are feeling overwhelmed, as if they're constantly having to react, LeBlanc said. They'd like to be more proactive, so the force is trying something innovative.
Community engagement officers will handle tasks such as taking statements for minor crimes, lost property calls and general public assistance — things that have waited too long in the queue for attention, he said.
They won't carry guns or wear police uniforms, but they'll wear shirts that identify them, and they'll have a police radio in case they need to call for backup.
"We're looking at simple theft complaints … some mischief calls … general public assistance ... If somebody has a complaint and would like to speak to an officer and there's no danger present, we can send one of these members there."
With the new unit handling some of the workload, LeBlanc hopes Frederictonians will see more officers out and about in the community.
The City of Fredericton also introduced a community safety services unit in recent years to respond to public complaints about things such as panhandling and vandalism.
Staff Sgt. Justin LeBlanc will oversee the new community engagement unit, made up of six retired police officers. (Submitted by Fredericton Police Force)
They can enforce some city bylaws, but they aren't police officers or part of the police department, LeBlanc said.
Downtown Fredericton resident Rob Doyle, one of many people to go public last fall with frustrations over property crime and open drug use, called the new unit "a fantastic idea."
"If they're able to take the smaller calls and keep the regular force on patrol, that's great," he said.
Doyle thinks retired officers have a lot to offer.
"I think it's better than hiring a secondary security service that can't do a whole lot other than monitor somebody."
A person who has 30 years of policing experience knows how to deal with someone who has lost their temper or is having a bad day, said Doyle, and will take the extra time needed to deal with something like that.
He plans to watch for signs of improvement once the weather warms and property crime typically picks up.
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Fredericton Police Force Announces New Community Engagement Unit
Dec. 17, 2024
Fredericton (N.B.) – The Fredericton Police Force (FPF) has announced
the launch of a new Community Engagement Unit (CEU) to enhance
community relations and improve service efficiency.
This initiative,
funded as part of the City's efforts to support community safety
measures, aims to address the increasing demands on police resources by
providing dedicated support for non-emergency tasks.
The CEU will consist of former FPF members who will handle non-critical tasks, such as taking statements for minor crimes, handling lost property, and providing general public assistance. This will allow officers to focus on urgent and high-priority calls. Importantly, CEU members will not engage in patrol responses involving risk.
"This initiative will help meet the community's needs while allowing officers to concentrate on more urgent police matters,” said Inspector David Cooper. “It is important for maintaining community trust, ensuring efficient use of police resources and will allow for more proactive community policing.”
The unit will operate on a trial basis for six months, with an evaluation at the end of the period.
“The union executive was consulted throughout the process of adopting the Community Engagement Unit. We fully support FPF Management’s decision to engage this temporary solution and will monitor the impact as it relates to our members.” said Chris Furlotte, President of UBC 911.
This initiative, coupled with several other measures in place to enhance public safety, reflects the City's commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all its residents.
-30-
Media contact:
Sonya Gilks
Public Information Officer
Fredericton Police Force
Fpf.media@fredericton.ca
FPF's New Community Engagement Unit to Support Patrols and Improve Service Efficiency
The Fredericton Police Force (FPF) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Community Engagement Unit (CEU), which officially began operations on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
As part of the City's efforts to support community safety measures, the CEU was created to assist patrols by providing dedicated support for non-emergency tasks and calls for service. This allows front line officers to concentrate on urgent and high-priority matters, which ensures efficient use of police resources and allows for more proactive community policing.
The CEU will be in operation for an initial 6-month period and will consist of 6 retired FPF members: Stephen Horsman, Joan Crane, Ronnie Francis, Andrea Miller, John Lally and Andrew Miller. They will report to the FPF’s Staff Sargeant of Patrols.
The CEU will handle following types of calls (not limited to):
- Reports of break and enter (excluding dwellings or businesses)
- Theft complaints
- Lost and found property
- Mischief and property damage
- General public assistance (depending on the call)
- Stolen property
- Other non-criminal matters (e.g., traffic complaints, abandoned vehicles, syringe disposal)
They will also support administrative tasks such as:
- Creating files
- Collecting statements where no safety risk is identified
- Client callbacks
- Follow-up on online reports
- Document delivery and retrieval
The launch of the Community Engagement Unit, along with other safety measures, reflects the City's commitment to a safe and secure environment.
-30-
Media contact:Sonya Gilks
Public Information Officer
Fredericton Police Force
Fpf.media@fredericton.ca
Fredericton Police Force Welcomes New Deputy Chief
The
Fredericton Police Force (FPF) is pleased to announce the appointment
of Mr. François (Frank) Levesque to the role of Deputy Chief, Strategy
and Administration, effective December 16th, 2024.
Levesque brings 21 years of law enforcement experience, has worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police focusing on special investigations and intelligence, la Surêté du Quebec in Montreal, and most recently as Deputy Chief of Police with the Edmundston Police Force. He studied kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick, has diploma in Police Foundations and is a graduate of the Quebec National Police Academy.
Levesque is also actively involved in community initiatives, co-chairing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Committee for all police forces across New Brunswick.
“Frank’s extensive law enforcement experience and commitment to community engagement make him a valuable addition to our team,” said Chief Gary Forward. “We look forward to leveraging his expertise and are committed to leading our ranks into a progressive future through robust recruitment, continuous professional development, and the adoption of contemporary policing practices, further enhancing our ability to serve and protect the Fredericton community with excellence and integrity.”
-30-
Media contact:
Sonya Gilks
Public Information Officer
Fredericton Police Force
Fpf.media@fredericton.ca
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