I have made the decision to retire from the position of Chief of Police of the Saint John Police Force at the end of my current contract in July of 2026.
While I sincerely appreciate the three-year extension granted to my current contract by the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners, I believe I have fulfilled my obligations and commitments to the Board, the citizens of Saint John, and both the civilian and sworn members of the Saint John Police Force.
When I accepted this position in 2021, I made a full commitment to reside in Saint John for a period of three to five years and to lead the organization through significant transformation. My goal was to help ensure the Saint John Police Force evolved into a modern, responsive, and trusted service that our community deserves.
Over the course of my tenure, I have worked diligently despite considerable organizational challenges, including frequent changes within the senior command team, the absence of a Deputy Chief for much of this period, coupled with systematic resistance to change, and a restrictive collective agreement. These circumstances presented unique operational and leadership demands.
The associated broader challenges with implementing meaningful change were ever present. Nevertheless, we have remained steadfast in advancing our mission through accountability, transparency, high standards, structured processes, sound policy, professionalism, and clear communication.
It has been a distinct honour to serve the City of Saint John and the members of the Saint John Police Force as Chief over the past five years. I am both humble and grateful for the opportunity to have been able to contribute to this organization and community.
As I reflect on my tenure, I am proud of the progress achieved in enhancing our service delivery model, strengthening internal support for our members, and fostering a positive impact within the community through increased engagement, visibility, and accessibility.
While there is still important work to be done and ongoing challenges remain, I am confident that with the continued support of the Saint John Police Force members, Board, Council, and the community, the current senior command team is well positioned to lead the organization toward continued growth and future success.
Sincerely,
Robert M. Bruce
