Chris Messer, suspended police officer, fights for job

Saint John Police officer Chris Messer is vowing to take his fight to get his job back directly to New Brunswick's minister of public safety.

The Saint John Police Commission refused to hear a presentation on Messer's behalf by his union, the Saint John Police Association on Tuesday night.

Messer said he is disappointed the commission would not hear from his union at the public meeting.

"I deserve to have my side told, publicly," he said.

"They don't want to step up to the plate and admit that there are wrongs here that need to be made right."

Messer said the police association will try to arrange a meeting with Public Safety Minister Stephen Horsman later this week.

The suspended police officer is trying to clear his name and get his job back after a dispute that dates back nearly five years.

He was charged and suspended following complaints from two men in 2010, who alleged frightening encounters with him, while they were being investigated for a break-in at his west-side home.

In 2012, Messer was convicted of assault and threatening behaviour toward the men but the decision was later appealed and a retrial ordered on the single charge of assault.

An assault charge against Messer was stayed last month by Court Queen's Bench Justice Judy Clendening.

Nicole Paquet, the chair of the police commission, said the board cannot hear from Messer and the union until the all of the legal proceedings are completed.

"It's just really not appropriate," says Paquet.

She notes Police Act hearings on his case are still scheduled for April and there is a possibility the Crown could appeal Clendening's decision.

"It's just not the right time to have that discussion until those processes are complete," says Paquet.