Established on June 27, 1851, the Fredericton Police Force began with the hiring of one unpaid officer to patrol wards. Although Sgt. Paul Phillips served as the first unofficial Chief of Police, the City Council never permitted him to use the title “Chief of Police.” John Hawthorne became the first official Chief of Police in 1905, holding the position for three years.

In 1883, the Fredericton Police moved its headquarters to the current City Hall building in Fredericton and stayed there until 1971. The force then relocated to York Street, sharing a facility with the Fredericton Fire Department. Since 1983, the Fredericton Police Force has been situated on Queen Street in a state-of-the-art building.

In 1973, the Fredericton Police hired its first female police officer, Shirley Jollimore.

There have been 16 Chiefs in the Force’s history:

• 1905-1908 John Hawthorne
• 1908 George H Winters
• 1913-1916 John H Mcollom
• 1917-1921 George Findlay
• 1923-1945 Nathaniel Jones
• 1946-1954 J. D. O’Connell
• 1955-1957 Alfred Barker
• 1957-1972 Bryce Neely
• 1972-1976 Ronald Goodyear
• 1976-1980 Lionel Poirier
• 1980-2005 Gordon Carlisle
• 2005-2012 Barry MacKnight
• 2012-2013 Leanne Fitch (Acting)
• 2013-2019 Leanne Fitch 
• 2019-2022 Roger Brown
• 2022- Martin Gaudet

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