An external investigation by the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force has led to a 17-year member of the Saint John Police Force being charged with assault with a weapon.
Constable Nicholas Roy has been reassigned to administrative duties with no public contact pending an appearance in court.
Police say the investigation came after a public complaint. Once criminal court proceedings have wrapped, the force says a Police Act investigation will follow.
“The Saint John Police holds our members to the highest standard of accountability. Any complaints of excessive force are taken very seriously,” said Saint John Police Chief Robert Bruce in a news release.
“We are committed to maintaining public trust and always remaining transparent. We will provide the public with further updates as the court process permits and we remain confident in the judicial process.”
Roy is expected to go before a provincial court judge on July 8.
Our newsroom reached out to both police forces for comment on the investigation and allegations against the officer. Saint John police directed our questions to Kennebecasis regional police.
Roy is the third Saint John police officer to be charged in the past seven months.
Sgt. David Kimball was charged in November with falsifying a police report, obstruction of justice by providing a false report, and breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office.
The charges relate to the officer’s alleged actions during an investigation in April 2021. New Brunswick RCMP said it received a complaint from Public Prosecutions the following month requesting a review of the officer’s actions.
In December, Const. Benaiah Sok was charged with assault causing bodily harm following an investigation by the Fredericton Police Force.
Saint John’s police chief requested the investigation after a report of a member using excessive force while trying to make an arrest uptown in August.
Kimball was suspended with pay while Sok was reassigned to administrative duties.
With files from Brad Perry.
