Prince Edward Island Police Commissioner Gerard Mitchell today announced the hiring of Paul Stetson RCMP (S/sgt -ret’d) as manager and investigator for the Office of the Police Commissioner.
“I am very happy and fortunate to have been able to get someone of Mr. Stetson’s stature in both the police community and in the community at large to take on this role,” said Commissioner Mitchell. “Mr. Stetson has a great deal of experience in investigation and management. He spent 31 years in policing with the RCMP, many of them in positions of leadership and command. Since 1996, he has been the Coordinator and Program Manager for PEI Crime Stoppers.”
Mr. Stetson will be responsible for managing the routine operations of the Office of the Police Commissioner. He will also carry out the duties assigned to an investigator under the new Police Act when it is proclaimed in full force. Mr. Stetson will take up his new duties on February 1st, 2010.
“I am confident Mr. Stetson will manage the Office of the Police Commissioner efficiently and will investigate and deal with complaints that come within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Police Commissioner in a timely, impartial, and fair manner,” said Commissioner Mitchell.
The Office of the Police Commissioner, created under the new Police Act, has a mandate to review decisions of municipal or community police chiefs and the director of the Atlantic Police Academy regarding complaints from the public about the conduct of officers under their command. It also has a mandate to deal with complaints from the public about unprofessional conduct by Police Chiefs, security police officers, and the director of the Atlantic Police Academy. However, the Office has no mandate to deal with complaints against RCMP officers. Complaints about RCMP go to the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP.
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Gerard Mitchell
Police Commissioner
Phone: 902-368-5010
Email: gemitchell@policecommissioner.pe.ca