(Submitted/New Brunswick RCMP)
New Brunswick police forces are disappointed by the province’s decision to eliminate the requirement for front licence plates.
The president of the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police says the move will make it more difficult for officers to do their jobs.
Wayne Gallant says they have long maintained a two-plate system enhances an officer’s ability to ID vehicles and individuals involved in criminal activity.
“Whether you’re chasing after somebody leaving a break and enter, somebody with a speeding infraction, an Amber alert, anything like that,” said Gallant.
Gallant said it will also become harder for school bus drivers when vehicles fail to stop for their red lights.
“Not only are you trying to capture a plate and description of the vehicle, but you’re also trying to get a description of the driver, so it gets quite challenging,” he said. “Now to not even have the plate is going to make it even more challenging.”
Wayne Gallant is chief of the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force. (Submitted)
But Gallant said he understands the government’s position since New Brunswick is the last Atlantic province to make the change.
Gallant, who is also chief of the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, said some of his officers have raised concerns about the changes.
“They see this as a removal of a tool that was in their toolbelt to support them in enforcing the laws of the land,” he said. “They will make adjustments, of course, and we’ll still continue to do our job.”
Once the changes take effect, drivers will still be able to display their front plate if they want.
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