Officer Bubbles has Maritime Relatives or have all the grown-ups left New Brunswick?
I’m filing this one under Officer Bubbles has relatives in NB.
The police seizure of the computer equipment of a controversial Fredericton blogger came under criticism by Fredericton city councillor on Monday. Coun. Jordan Graham said he’s heard a mix of opinions on the arrest of Charles LeBlanc and the decision to confiscate his computer equipment.
The city councillor raised concerns over the tactics of the Fredericton police on a post on his own blog again on Monday. “Some people are sick and tired of Charles LeBlanc and they are happy to see something come down on him,” Graham said. “And other people are concerned about the statement of the police force going after somebody who has clearly been on their hit list for quite some time now.”
It has been reported that eight officers exercised a search warrant at LeBlanc’s home and seized his computer equipment. Fredericton Police Chief Barry MacKnight said search and seizure operations usually include at least a dozen officers. MacKnight won’t comment on specific cases, but he said the police force sends investigators, security people and individuals with technical expertise on these types of operations.
“Even in a case where the risk is relatively low, you’re probably looking at a couple of people to maintain security, they have people that come to do the search if there are people with technical expertise,” he said.
LeBlanc was arrested for allegedly libeling a Fredericton Police officer. The blogger signed a promise to appear in court on April 20.
In my opinion, the very fact that a Canadian police chief attempts to justify this type of police bullying against an obnoxious loud-mouth blogger; speaks more to his general unfitness for duty and a rather marked leadership deficit on the Fredericton police force. Let’s just strike New Brunswick off the list of civilized places to visit – oh, wait – does anyone actually vacation there?
