**Story updated at 5:39 p.m. Friday**
Saint John police officers say they are concerned about a “ticking time bomb” in the city’s emergency dispatch centre.
The Saint John Police Association (SJPA) has written to the province’s public safety minister asking him to investigate and take “corrective action.”
Employees of the Public Safety Communications Centre (PSCC) are among around 140 unionized inside workers who are currently on the picket lines.
Currently, the centre is being staffed by non-unionized city employees — including police management, fire command staff and city management — as part of the city’s contingency plan.
But Bob Davidson, labour analyst with the police union, said that plan is putting first responders and the public at risk.
“The individuals being assigned to the PSCC received a mere one-day crash presentation before being tasked with the life and death responsibilities involved with the Public Safety Communications Centre,” Davidson told reporters at a news conference on Friday.
That is much less than the six months of “extensive” training that employees usually go through, he said.
911 calls being diverted to Fredericton
In addition to answering 911 and non-emergency calls, PSCC operators provide dispatch services for the Saint John Police Force and around three dozen fire departments from St. Stephen to Petersville Hill to Penobsquis.
Heather Stevens is a member of CUPE Local 486, the union that represents striking PSCC employees.
Stevens said 911 calls are currently being answered by the Public Safety Answering Point in Fredericton. Those requiring police or fire response are rerouted back to the Saint John centre to be handled.
“Even the bare minimum, I’m sure you’re adding 45 seconds to a minute which, in certain situations, can mean the difference between life and death.
Stevens said she has been told that first responders are being dispatched to the wrong address in some cases and police officers are not always getting periodic check-ins as they normally would while on calls.
SJPA also claimed that the recent fire at American Iron and Metal “did not get an adequate response.” Davidson refused to provide any specifics, citing the ongoing task force investigating the fire.
“First responders are not getting the same level of information because these people are not trained to do what they do to ensure that the call is being responded to in a 100 per cent understood manner,” said Davidson.
Chief threatens to discipline officers
The association also alleges that the city’s police chief is ordering frontline police officers to work in the centre and threatening to discipline them if they refuse.
President Duane Squires said one officer who refused, arguing they are not properly trained or qualified, has been served notice of disciplinary action under the province’s Police Act for insubordination.
Squires said they have been told the officer and the association could face legal action if “there’s a loss of life, injury or damage sustained by the Saint John Police Force or any member of the public as a result of this refusal.”
“There’s avenues within the Occupational Health and Safety Act to follow and that member is trying to follow that act and ultimately being threatened with civil litigation if there’s an issue and disciplinary action,” said Squires.
“When I speak to my members, they’re scared to death. Their livelihood is at stake here if I don’t follow the command of Chief Robert Bruce.”
‘Completely inaccurate’: Chief responds to union’s allegations
Chief Robert Bruce said the police association’s assertion about the centre being a “ticking time bomb” is “completely inaccurate and without fact.”
“To use public and officer safety to further a political agenda to support another union is deeply disturbing and bordering on irresponsible,” Bruce said in a statement late Friday afternoon.
“Calls have not been dropped or unanswered. Emergency and non-emergency calls are dealt with in a professional and timely manner.”
Bruce said before the labour disruption began, senior police leaders met with SJPA to discuss contingency plans.
He said the two sides agreed that frontline officers would only be asked to help in the event of a prolonged strike.
“As the labour dispute entered into the medium and long-term stages, consideration was given to request senior SJPA members to assist,” said Bruce.
Four members were requested initially to help in the centre, said the chief. Two of those agreed while two others asked to be ordered.
“Once ordered, one complied with the order and the fourth refused a lawful order which is a violation of the Police Act of New Brunswick. As a result, that lone member is facing a Police Act investigation which is a normal practice when an officer violates the Police Act,” said Bruce.
Bruce acknowledged that non-unionized staff going into the centre are only being given one day of classroom training.
They are receiving “continuous hands-on training” under the supervision of other experienced members, he said, and senior police managers who are “highly proficient” with the technology used in the centre are on shift at all times
“The combination of these two entities provides a solid foundation to fulfil our mandate during this labour dispute,” said Bruce.
Bruce said there is no additional delay in response, even with 911 calls being diverted to the Public Safety Answering Point in Fredericton.
The chief said this process is not unusual as all centres provide back-up to each other to ensure all calls are answered.
“The City of Saint John cyber attack in 2020 was the best example of how this service and continuity of operations was tested. At that time, all 911 calls were diverted to the Fredericton PSAP for over one month,” he said.
Bruce said there have been zero complaints from the public to date with respect to the centre’s current operations.
Province to review union’s concerns
The association has asked Public Safety Minister Kris Austin to investigate the “present dire situation” in the centre and “take the corrective action necessary” to ensure residents and first responders are safe.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety confirmed that the minister received the letter.
In an email, a spokesperson said the department will review the concerns that have been raised.
“The province has a service agreement with the city to deliver 9-1-1 call taking and fire dispatch services, along with their role delivering dispatch services to their own or partner municipality’s fire and police services,” said the statement.
The department directed all questions about the centre’s operations back to the city.
Follow
