In light of an allegation made by a retired Saint John police officer against the deputy chief at the second-degree murder trial of Dennis Oland, the new police chief directing that a Professional Standards investigative file be opened.
On Tuesday, the murder trial hearing from retired staff Sergeant Michael King who testified sometime either before or during the preliminary inquiry then-inspector Glen McCloskey suggested to him to lie about McCloskey being in Far End Corporation with the body of Richard Oland on July 7. On Wednesday, McCloskey, now deputy chief, taking the witness stand at the trial and testifying that he made no suggestion to anyone, including King, involving changing their testimony related to his attendance at the scene.
Sergeant Lori Magee of the SJPD says in a statement that the New Brunswick Police Commission and the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners have been made aware of the allegation.
McCloskey remains on active duty with the force.
The statement by Magee says that it would be improper for the new chief John Bates to comment about the testimony at the trial so he won’t be commenting. However, he does say:
“The men and women of the Saint John Police Force have and will continue to deliver exceptional and first-rate service to this community each and every day. Our members go about their duties with my full confidence; they have already earned and continue to hold the confidence and respect of the greater Saint John community.”
