The Fredericton Police Force has retained the services of Ontario-based lawyer and investigator Ian D. Scott to immediately conduct an independent review of the practices, policies, and procedures relating to our Major Crime – Major Case Management services.
The review is in response to an insurmountable evidentiary issue caused by the Fredericton Police Force that resulted in recent stays of proceedings in the 2021 death of Corey Christopher Markey and the 2022 death of Brandon Donelan.
“We take full responsibility and accountability for the circumstances that led to this outcome,” said Fredericton Police Chief Gary Forward. “As part of our acknowledgement and commitment to public trust, we are taking immediate steps to examine the error caused on our part and to prevent a reoccurrence.”
Ian D. Scott has more than forty years of litigation experience and is widely recognized for his expertise in police oversight. He served as Director of Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) from 2008 to 2013, leading independent investigations into incidents involving police. Mr. Scott has authored and/or co-authored several key texts on policing and civilian oversight, including Community Safety and Policing Act and Special Investigations Unit Act, an Annotated Guide 2024 (Thomson Reuters, 2024), and Issues in Civilian Oversight of Policing in Canada (Carswell, 2014). Ian D. Scott currently conducts police-related investigations, acts as a disciplinary prosecutor, and provides expert training for other investigators.
The extensive background and specialized knowledge of Ian D. Scott in police oversight, investigative evaluation, and legal standards makes him uniquely qualified to conduct this review informed by best practices in law enforcement and justice.
The review will commence on July 17, 2025, and shall be completed by the end of the calendar year. The review’s findings will be released to the public apart from information protected by the Canada Evidence Act. Under the Canada Evidence Act, public disclosure of the evidentiary issue in question is prohibited on the grounds that such disclosure would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.
Click here to review the June 27, 2025, statement issued by Chief Gary Forward.
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Media contact:
Public Information Office
Fredericton Police Force
fpf.media@fredericton.ca
506-460-2777