Report released Tuesday said Fredericton police should have “farmed out” libel investigation
Amanda-Leigh Jess
December 4, 2012
News
blogger, canadian civil liberties, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, criminal libel, investigation team, New Brunswick, ombudsman, police force, public sphere, seizure
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richard 1 300x225 Report released Tuesday said Fredericton police should have farmed out libel investigation
Bernard Richard conducted the review into the criminal libel investigation (Photo: Amanda Jess)
An independent report released Tuesday afternoon said the Fredericton Police should have “farmed out” the investigation into criminal libel involving blogger Charles LeBlanc and a police officer.
“There was too much history with the force, too many incidents involving the same officer and Mr. LeBlanc was too often in the public sphere to avoid the perception that the FPF (Fredericton Police Force) could not be totally impartial in its consideration of the case,” the report read.
The report, conducted by former ombudsman Bernard Richard on behalf of the City of Fredericton, made seven recommendations to the city and the police.
One of those recommendations included using the existing New Brunswick Integrated Investigation Team to look into any future matters involving police officers where the public’s confidence in the Fredericton Police Force could be at stake.
richard 2 300x225 Report released Tuesday said Fredericton police should have farmed out libel investigation
Acting Police Chief Leanne Fitch (Photo: Amanda Jess)
“Of all seven recommendations, I fully embrace them. They are certainly sound and fair recommendations. I see this as an opportunity to improve our service delivery, improve how we respond to certain challenges that our officers face everyday …” said Acting Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch.
The review was launched in June after the Canadian Civil Liberties Association wrote to the Fredericton Police Chief earlier in the year with concerns about LeBlanc’s arrest, the search of his home and the seizure of his computer as well as the pending charges of criminal libel.
Many others also voiced concerns with the investigation and charges including a group of professors from the University of New Brunswick that wrote a letter to the Attorney General addressing three jurisdictions that found section 301 of the Criminal Code, the criminal libel portion, unconstitutional.
The Crown told the Fredericton Police in April that they couldn’t pursue the charges, relating to comments LeBlanc made on his blog in July 2011.
Other recommendations that came out of the report included a suggested change in search warrants which involve computer data. Richard’s report also recommended offering support for members of the police force that are targets of unfair and potentially harmful criticism.
“It is a delicate balance, but I certainly take the recommendation that our officers veins, flesh and blood. They too can be victimized in our communities and it’s important they receive the level of support that they need and deserve,” Fitch said.
Three recommendations involved how the police deal with mental health.
The three recommendations were to provide “enhanced mandatory training on dealing with emotionally disturbed persons,” include staff with expertise in dealing with mental health issues, and develop a policy for responding to those with mental health issues. This included a section that would deal with managing communications when clients publish false and/or libellous information.
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Charles LeBlanc filming the release of the report (Photo: Amanda Jess)
LeBlanc said he’s “disappointed” with the report.
“It’s been a very emotional fight. When you get 8 or 10 cops coming to your door, it’s scary. I haven’t been the same Charles LeBlanc and I probably never will be, but they made it sound like, ‘Oh my God, this poor person has a mental disorder.’”
LeBlanc said he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but “doesn’t see anything wrong with that.”
When asked if he thought the report further stigmatized mental health problems, he said, “I think it’s disgusting.”
LeBlanc declined invitations from Richard to speak with him for the report. The police officer involved also turned down the chance to give a statement to Richard.
Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside also said he and the city have accepted the recommendations.
“With you [Richard] and the reputation that precedes you, I feel that we have dealt with this fairly and that’s all that council has wanted from the outset. And you delivered. And I appreciate that.”
Fitch said the police will be following up on the recommendations.
A lady in every sense of the word, Charlie, who has deep concerns for her husband. But by the same token, like any other freak of nature, she finds herself staring down the barrel of who??? Why the commissioner of official languages of course. This self-centered English language bigot, my friend, has made it abundantly, abundantly clear to all who choose to sit up and take notice, that she, (the language commissioner), does not like anglophones, never did like anglophones, and never will like anglophones, and thus, can take her language commission and SHOVE IT UP HER ASS, for ever and ever AMEN!!!! Put HER out in the parking lot for a few months after Christmas and see how f----n' happy she would be to get her serlf-righteous stockins' back inside and THAW THINGS OUT A LITTLE!!!!
I NO LONGER POST PICTURES IN LARGE AMOUNT ON BLOG BECAUSE THE CITY OF FREDERICTON ARE PLANNING TO HAVE THIS BLOG SHUT DOWN ALSO!!!...GO TO MY FACEBOOK FOR PICTURES!!!!
Pam Lynch read this statement this morning in the New Brunswick Legislature!!!
Mr. Speaker,
I am absolutely disgusted that we are now into December and Commissionaire Wayne Grant is still working outdoors. This is disgraceful. It was the Gallant government that changed the rules at the Centennial Building that put Mr. Grant outside. It is only the Gallant government that can return Mr. Grant to his former status by changing the rules back. And that is exactly what the Gallant government must do. Further, they must apologize to Mr. Grant and compensate him for the financial hardship that he suffered. Anything less will be unacceptable to all who believe in the principles of justice, fairness, and compassion.
I might add Pam Lynch letter to the Editor was denied by the Irving media -
Charles,
This is my Commentary that was submitted to the Daily Gleaner on November 8th, however, they chose not to print it. You will find it in this month's Grand Lake Mirror. I want my Constituents to know that I did not agree with the way this was handled by the Language Commissioner in any way.
Government without fairness and compassion
Watching the language commissioner’s news conference on Friday November 6th ignited my feelings of apprehension and frustration.
My constituents tell me they see Wayne Grant, a 64-year old man working for low wages, being bullied by a very highly paid bureaucrat. Worse, they see the specter of heavy-handed language police running rough-shod over the people; much like they do in Quebec. One can understand these sentiments.
No-one can convince me that this is the New Brunswick envisioned by Premiers Richard Hatfield, Louis Robichaud and all those who have worked to bring equality, understanding and harmony to our two linguistic communities. We are going in the wrong direction.
While the language commissioner has become the lightning rod for this issue, the Gallant government cannot be held blameless. Because it is the Gallant government that changed the rules so that commissioner Wayne Grant cannot return to his previous post inside the Centennial building. It is the Gallant government that sentenced this man, so close to retirement, to sit outside in the cold, rain and snow; if he wishes to continue working in downtown Fredericton, as he has for so many years.
You will note that Premier Gallant has tried to distance himself from the language commissioner. As premier of our province, it is time for him to stop dodging the issue and, in the name of fairness, to show some leadership.
Gallant’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is also complicit, because it was his department that reacted in a panic when the language commissioner served notice that she was launching an investigation. It was his department that changed the rules for the Centennial Building that threw Mr. Grant’s life into chaos, without ever being granted the opportunity to face his accuser or having the benefit of due process. In fairness to the civil servants who likely made these choices, it appears they were led to believe by the language commissioner that a third party had laid the complaint. This apparently deceptive action has not found its way to the center of the discussion, but it will in time.
It was the Gallant government that changed the rules that put Mr. Grant outside. It is only the Gallant government that can return Mr. Grant to his former status by changing the rules back. And that is exactly what they must do. Further, they must apologize to Mr. Grant and compensate him for the financial hardship that he suffered. Anything less will be unacceptable to all who believe in the principles of justice, fairness, and compassion.
What I found most troubling about the language commissioner’s press conference was her utter lack of empathy for Mr. Grant. When the language commissioner was asked by the media what she would say to Mr. Grant if she saw him, she had the opportunity to say that she felt sorry for how her actions had impacted his life. She had the opportunity to show some compassion. Instead, her cheeky response was cold and callous, thereby telling us all we need to know to judge her actions. She replied “I would say hello, bonjour.” to the chuckles of the media.
In the matter of language commissioner Katherine D’Entremont , perhaps it is time we all said “GOODBYE, AU REVOIR “
Let me go take a cold shower so I can calm down a little.
Ok…Here we go…
The Fredericton Po…
Excuse me a minute…I need to calm down…
Ok….The Fredericton Police Force acted like professionals this afternoon.
They are very good at their job!!!
The Fredericton Police Force should be…
Excuse me for a minute…I need to take 15 Ritalin!!!
Ok..back!!!
They should be congratulated for a job very well done…
Excuse me I need another cold shower and smoke 5 joints to CALM DOWN to continue this blog…
We should be proud to have such a Good and hard working Police Force protecting the Citizens, Bureaucrats and Politians in front of the New Brunswick Legislature!!!!
Ok…..must press – Post blog…
OH NOOOOOOOO.....…Anti-Police brain cells are fighting my good hearted cells
So hard on all of my five ADHD brains…
MUST FIGHT ANTI-POLICE BRAIN CELLS!!!
must press POST button
SO HARD…
Must concentrate!!!! Must stop sweating!!!!! Must print blog!!!!!!
God knows if I succeeded in posting this blog or not????
I noticed this morning while entering King's Place. People were clearing the area so this guy in a Wheelchair could come out!!...It was the Former Rco Star!!!
Fredericton Police are going door to door to hunt down this Panhandler!!
Isn't there bigger crime in this City????
Panhandling, riding a bicycle without a helmet, Accusing the citizens to be Pedophiles and act on 3rd Party complaint.....We need to bring in the R.C.M.P.!<
I used to take the time and post pics but ever since Fascist Mayor Brad Woodside ordered my blog shut down therefore showing the City DOES NOT care. I can't be bothered.
But I will take the time to condemn City Officials or the Cops...:P..:P..:P
Hi Charles..
I see all those posts where you are watching the waistline, then those big meals?
I think you should switch to light beer. I was into the liquor store today, for one hell of a good buy on Coors Light. If you buy 2 you only pay $18.99 each..Shit, thats as good as Quebec pricing without having to visit those places at all. I thought the newpaper was wrong, the gal who took my money said its on Bud light and Coors light both..some kind of mistake..only today. You better get at er and get some. Stock er up Bud., keep those pounds away.Good thing uyoure off those damn cancer sticke, eh. on The latest on Commissionaire Wayne Grant!!! Wife is VERY worried!!!!
But what's important in this case is to find out who is the Cop from the Fredericton Police who took this complaint. It could be the same one who labelled me as a Pedophile.
The public must find out who are the bad Cops!!!
For you newcomers..here's the video when the 2 cops showed up at my door -
Sorry about that but you never know where my ADHD Minds will go...I just HAVEN'T been the same since the Fredericton Police Force labelled this Blogger as a Pedophile.
