Fredericton constable quits before arbitrator's decision in intimate partner violence case
CBC
A Fredericton police constable who assaulted his fiancée has resigned from the force ahead of an arbitrator's decision on whether he could keep his job.
Following hearings last summer and fall, George Filliter was supposed to render a decision in the discreditable conduct case brought against Colin Holmes.
However, Holmes resigned from the force on Dec. 2, effectively putting an end to the arbitration process, Filliter said in an order he filed on Dec. 20.
"I hereby relinquish my jurisdiction in regard of the matter before me involving Cst. Colin Holmes," Filliter wrote.
Holmes, 26, was a member of the Fredericton Police Force when he was charged and later pleaded guilty to summary assault of his fiancée at her home in Hanwell, just south of Fredericton, on Sep. 24, 2023.
Holmes was spared a criminal conviction after a judge granted him a conditional discharge, which effectively left him with no criminal record so long as he obeyed several conditions imposed at sentencing.
While his criminal case was dealt with, the New Brunswick Police Commission initiated an arbitration process after former police chief Martin Gaudet accused Holmes of discreditable conduct by committing intimate partner violence.
In August and October, Filliter heard testimony from several witnesses, including Holmes's former fiancée, about how he broke into her home and assaulted her.
Filliter was supposed to issue a decision by February on whether Holmes could keep his job with the police force.
Holmes had been suspended from the force without pay until his resignation.
Since no decision was issued by Filliter, Holmes would be allowed to apply to work with another police force in New Brunswick or elsewhere in Canada, said Jennifer Smith, executive director of the New Brunswick Police Commission, in an email.
However, his lawyer, TJ Burke, said Holmes plans to leave the field of policing.
"He will go on to pursue another career," Burke said. "Whether it's in New Brunswick or someplace else in the country, I'm not sure, but for now, he's decided to … offer his resignation and move on with his life."
Burke said the evidence heard during the arbitration hearing didn't play a big role in Holmes's decision to resign ahead of Filliter's decision.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.
Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.
CBC's road trip series Land of Living Stories explores inspiring stories of community spirit from across Saskatchewan. In our latest visit, CBC-Radio Canada hit the road to La Ronge. This is the fifth of a multi-part series from that community.
Dozens of people filled Regina's Fresh and Sweet cafe on Saturday to paint, collage and craft their concerns about artificial intelligence by making zines — a type of self-published small booklet, typically created by hand.
Wildfire season has officially started in Alberta. As the snow starts to melt, people are starting to wonder: Will I have to evacuate this year?
Two hikers were rescued near Lions Bay, B.C., on Saturday after slipping down steep, treacherous terrain, according to search and rescue personnel.
Members of the Filipino community on P.E.I. came together over the weekend to enjoy basketball at the Eastern P.E.I. Community Navigators’ second annual tournament.