To whom it may concern: (police management, media organizations, and City of Fredericton management and coucillors)
On the evening of Friday May 08, 2009 and the earlier morning hours of Saturday May 10, 2009 several military personnel went out for an evening of rest and fun in the downtown core of Fredericton at the local pubs and eateries. The evening progressed exactly as planned with the exception of an unfortunate event that took place at approximately 2:00 am Saturday morning. What took place next was both disturbing and criminal and needs to be investigated to get the fair answers of how something like this could take place in our country.
I will give you the coles notes version as I am sure the investigation is on-going at the Fredericton Police force to determine the truth.
At the same time that several military personnel were enjoying the evening, apparently three to four off-duty Fredericton Police officers were also enjoying the evening at the dowtown bars. These two groups of professionals crossed each others path and a confrontation started between a Jeff Parsons (military officer, Oromocto) and the three off-duty Fredericton city police officers known only as by Paul Batiste, Shane Duffy and possibly Ryan. Two other unknown males were with the police officers but remain unidentified. What happened next was what was very disturbing. The vehicle that the off-duty (intoxicated) police officers were in bumped into the military officer (Parsons). The police officer known only as Paul jumped out of the vehicle in an agreesive, angry manner and verbally confronted Parsons and immedialtely both parties engaged each other physically.
At this point, the other off duty police officers joined the fight and grabbed Parsons pulling him to the ground at which point Parsons was being held down by off-duty officer known as Shane Duffy while Paul Batiste (off-duty police officer) was hitting Parsons in the head with his fist (several times). Parsons was basically defenseless and very bloodied. At this time, a on-duty police officer was on scene and I witnessed the off-duty officers assaulting Parsons. To my amazement, the on-duty officer (bald and young) arrested a very bloodied Parsons and transported to the Police station where he was incarcerated for assault. The intoxicated off-duty officers then left the scene without any questioning or detainment.
I am writing this letter because I am concerned that an incident like this is going to be overlooked or even worse charges against Parsons for assault will ensue, unjustifiably. I am involving the media in this letter and city management because all too often the police with all their power and authority allow for internal politics, thin blue line mentality, cover-ups and corruption to sway their decision on how to deal with these types of files.
I am staying anonymous for now basically out of fear of retaliation by the police however I hope someone who receives this letter takes some action or just simply asks some questions.
Yours truly,
Concerned in the military
