Police officer denies harassment charge
Sgt. Jason Forward, 53, of Fredericton, will stand trial next year on an allegation he stalked his ex-wife over the course of several months in 2022
Legal counsel for a Fredericton police officer entered a not-guilty plea for his client Tuesday on a criminal harassment charge, alleging an offence involving his former spouse.
Fredericton Police Force Sgt. Jason Michael Forward, 53, of Fredericton, was charged earlier this year by the Miramichi Police Force with a count of criminal harassment.
The charge alleges he repeatedly followed Sarah Forward around Fredericton from March 10 and Sept. 28, 2022, causing her to be fearful.
Because of his employment with the Fredericton Police Force, Miramichi police were asked to investigate.
The case was back in provincial court for plea Tuesday, and defence lawyer T.J. Burke pleaded not guilty on his client’s behalf.
Forward wasn’t present for Tuesday’s proceedings, but since it’s a summary charge, he wasn’t required to attend court in the circumstances.
Crown prosecutor Joanne Park said a full day would be needed to hear evidence, and Judge Cameron Gunn scheduled the trial for April 23, 2024.
When the charge was last before the court March 23, Burke said he was in discussions with the Crown prosecutor’s office to resolve the matter, but judging from Tuesday’s plea, it appears that no resolution was reached.
The Fredericton Police Force previously reported that Forward was placed on administrative duty as a result of the charge, but he hasn’t been suspended.
It’s expected that once the criminal case is resolved, the New Brunswick Police Commission will restart its investigation into a related Police Act complaint against Forward. That complaint process was placed on hold when the criminal charge was laid in court.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.