Latest news with #BradMacConnell
CBC
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
More funding first, says Charlottetown police about joining new P.E.I. joint enforcement unit
Social Sharing Charlottetown police Chief Brad MacConnell says he's seen the province fund various policing initiatives, but that funding is often not sustained, leaving police departments on the hook for commitments made by the province. Last month, a letter sent by MacConnell and Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown to Justice Minister Bloyce Thompson was made public. It outlined some of the reasons why the Charlottetown Police Services would not be joining a new Joint Enforcement Team aimed at tackling the illicit drug trade and organized crime. The team is made up of members from Summerside Police Services, the Kensington police agency and RCMP. The province is spending $800,000 on the project. MacConnell has seen similar initiatives in the past and they haven't worked out, he said, such as when the previous provincial government created a similar group to tackle biker gangs. "The government had certainly the best intentions to form a task force to deal with outlaw motorcycle gangs, but I can tell you logistically it broke down. Partners retreated. Bikers are still here. And Charlottetown police were left with expectations to try to manage that," he said. "We certainly realize drug enforcement and drug issues are at the forefront of Islanders' minds. While we agree in the spirit of this initiative, we have concerns over logistics, over sustainability of the model." 'We'd like those core issues addressed' MacConnell pointed out despite Charlottetown police not being part of the program, there is still a lot of collaboration such as Charlottetown aiding with technology and digital forensics. "There are some core fundamental policing issues that have to be addressed in regarding the funding of policing here on Prince Edward Island, especially in the capital area, and Charlottetown in particular," he said. "So, we'd like those, you know, core issues addressed before we jump into a situation where we're increasing public expectation and we're not going to be able to deliver." The province had previously provided funding for four Charlottetown police officers to help patrol the area around the Community Outreach Centre on Park Street. There were two more which were going to be funded, but because of city council voting against keeping those services running, that money never came through, MacConnell said. MacConnell also thinks Charlottetown police aren't being recognized for the role they play in drug enforcement already, he said. "Our drug enforcement teams are out pacing any of the other drug enforcement units, I think, in Atlantic Canada. Certainly, I think there is a lack of recognition for that, for the great work Charlottetown is doing," MacConnell said. "I think it is quite unfair for the province at this point to cast any shadow over the city of Charlottetown and our police services when we are just trying to meet the demands of our own mandates." Council questions lack of consultation The issue came up during the regular meeting of Charlottetown's city council on Tuesday night. Coun. Terry Bernard wanted council to have a role in deciding if the city's police would be part of the program. "Decisions are being made that we know nothing about. That's not the way council is supposed to operate. It's more of a concern for me that the process here is you have a level of government asking another level of government, 'Will you join us?' And so, it is not up to staff or the mayor alone to make that decision to say, 'No, we're not.' It's council as a collective," Bernard said during the meeting. Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov backed up Bernard's position, saying she would have liked to know about the letter and that it could be "politicized" in the P.E.I. Legislature before Thompson made it public. Brown didn't think the letter he signed would be made public by Thompson, he said. "I thought there was a breach there between the two offices," Brown said during the meeting, adding that he thought the correspondence was going to be private. "The chief assisted with the response because of his background in this field." MacConnell believes the matter was operational in nature and didn't need to come to council for approval, though he acknowledges more information should have been provided on what the province was asking city police to do.
CBC
30-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Jennifer McCarron named interim chief of Charlottetown Police Services
Charlottetown's police force will soon be under new leadership. Deputy Chief Jennifer McCarron has been appointed interim chief of police, making her the first woman to lead the department in its history, the city said in a news release Friday. Her appointment was made by current Chief Brad MacConnell, who will step down from the role to become Charlottetown's Chief Administrative Officer on June 16, the same day McCarron officially takes over. McCarron has been with the department for more than 30 years and has served as the city's deputy police chief since April 2021. In her current role, she oversees major crime, street crime, bylaw, property and identification units, the release said. "It's an honour to step into this role during this time of change," McCarron was quoted as saying in the release. "I'm committed to providing steady leadership, supporting our dedicated officers and staff, and continuing to serve the community." The city said it will launch a competition for a permanent police chief in the coming weeks.
CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
'He knows the lay of the land': Charlottetown's mayor looking forward to Brad MacConnell, CAO
The City of Charlottetown had 162 people apply to be its new chief administrative officer. In the end it went with a known quantity: its current police chief. Brad MacConnell says he is looking forward to new challenges as the P.E.I. capital tries to keep up with its recent rapid population growth. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports.
CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Charlottetown police chief Brad MacConnell appointed as city's new CAO
Charlottetown's police chief is taking on a new leadership role at city hall. Brad MacConnell, who has served as Chief of Police since 2021, has been named the city's next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective June 16. The announcement was made by city council on Monday. "Having someone who has been in a key leadership role within our city who already understands the inner workings of our community ensures we have a strong, steady hand guiding us as we continue to build a city that's responsive, resilient and ready for the future," Mayor Philip Brown was quoted as saying in a news release. MacConnell has been with Charlottetown Police Services for 30 years and currently oversees a 100-member force and a $17-million annual budget. In his role as police chief, he has also worked on broader municipal and provincial initiatives related to housing, transportation, mental health and addictions, and justice, the release said. MacConnell said he's honoured by the appointment and excited to take on the new challenge. "Having worked alongside so many dedicated people over the years, I know first-hand the passion and dedication that drive this organization. This city means a great deal to me, and I look forward to continuing to serving it in this new role," MacConnell was quoted as saying. The CAO is responsible for managing the City of Charlottetown's financial, human and physical resources, overseeing a team of 484 employees, 250 of whom are full-time, and setting priorities for all departments and divisions to ensure alignment with city council's goals.
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
2 prominent Islanders return from helping mark the 80th anniversary of the end of Second World War
Charlottetown Police Chief Brad MacConnell and Angus Orford of Maritime Electric recently returned from the Netherlands, where they helped mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. They speak to Louise Martin of CBC News: Compass about the moving experience.
