A lot transpired between the December and January meetings of the Saint John police commission.
Many were shocked to hear of the forthcoming retirement of Chief John Bates and in addition to that devastating cuts to the police budget were passed and the Police association pointed the finger of blame at Mayor Don Darling.
At a news conference just before Christmas, police union leadership sang the praises of Chief Bates and how the rank and file really like him. Bates says he was gratified to hear that.
He says he loves the Saint John police force and the men and women that work between these four walls.
He calls being the chief in Saint John a highlight of his policing career.
Bates says the reason he is retiring now is a personnel matter between him and the Board of police commission and he wants to keep it that way.
