It has been three months since a coroner’s inquest jury ruled Chantel Moore’s death a homicide and made nearly 20 recommendations on ways New Brunswick and its law enforcement can improve police interventions, training and equipment. .
While the province’s nine municipal police forces have six months to review the recommendations and respond to them, CTV News surveyed each of them to see if they are considering or have already implemented any of them.
Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old indigenous woman, was shot and killed by a police officer in Edmundston in June 2020 during a welfare check.
Some of the jury’s recommendations included that all police officers receive regular training in CPR and first aid, crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, and scenario and situational awareness training. They also recommended that police have access to less-lethal tools, such as Tasers, that those tools work properly, and that they have them with them at all times.
The jury also recommended, where possible, that two officers respond to mental health and wellness checks and that police forces improve relationship building with First Nations communities, including having a community liaison.
Eight of the nine police forces responded to CTV News.
Similar statements were sent by Bathurst, Grand Falls, Miramichi, Saint John and BNPP Regional Police, which read in part:
“We have reviewed the Chantel Moore Research Summary of Recommendations to find some of the recommendations that already exist in our current policy, standard operating procedures, and/or training, while others, such as the use of less lethal options, are being evaluated. . ”
But three forces – Woodstock, Fredericton and Edmundston – provided more information.
EDMUNDSTON POLICE FORCE
During the investigation it was revealed that only one Taser was in operation the night Moore was shot. Edmundston Police Const. Jeremy Son didn’t have it on him when he responded to Moore’s apartment.
The Edmundston Police Force says it has since purchased an additional Taser, bringing its total to four.
But Chief Steve Robinson said all members are now being “trained and equipped with pepper spray and a telescopic baton, as less-lethal tools.”
“A new procedure has been put in place where members are now required to complete a formal report every time a piece of equipment is broken or missing. This report goes directly to our Deputy Chief for follow-up and action,” he said. “All staff must also be informed of any new policy and operational changes and sign a document certifying that they have read and understood the new policy.”
The force also said it is reviewing its policies for responding to welfare calls and considering making changes.
While it did not name a community liaison, the force said it has an “excellent relationship with the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and … plans to work with the Chief and Council on a project to further enhance our collaboration and friendship.”
WOODSTOCK POLICE FORCE
Woodstock Police Chief Gary Forward said that while some of the recommendations were already in place, the force reviewed each one to ask “what could we be doing better?”
He said that currently, all officers are certified in first aid/CPR. As annual de-escalation training takes place, the Woodstock Police Force is looking to work with the Mobile Crisis Intervention program to help officers adopt best practices when responding to a wellness check or mental health call.
The force has also purchased “munitions training equipment” to train officers in “realistic and reasonable use of force” responses.
Chief Forward outlined several recommendations that are already included in force policies, such as police reports and equipment maintenance, but said they are working on a policy for the use of force equipment.
They are also reviewing policies related to wellness checks.
FREDERICTON POLICE FORCE
Fredericton Police Force spokeswoman Sonya Gilks said the force is also reviewing all recommendations, but outlined how Fredericton is trying to develop its relationship with St. Mary’s First Nation. In an email, Gilks says the force has a police partnership with St. Mary’s, where a member patrols the community 24/7.
Three uniformed officers also work directly with the community, attend weekly meetings with the Chief and Council, and are the main contacts with the community.
A cultural diversity committee has been created to “advise the office of the Chief of Police on policing matters related to cultural diversity…” That includes discussing issues that could include “intercultural relations, training, recruitment or other related matters”.
The Fredericton Multicultural Association, St. Mary’s First Nation, Indigenous Friendship Center, Gignoo Transition Inc., NB African Association, city council and government representative, among others, participate in the committee.