News Release

BERESFORD (GNB) – Recommendations related to police interventions were made following the coroner’s inquest into the death of Michel Vienneau.

The inquest was held April 27 to May 3. Vienneau died on Jan. 12, 2015, as a result of injuries suffered when shot by a police officer during a police operation in the parking lot of the Bathurst train station.

The five-member jury heard from 21 witnesses during the inquest and made the following recommendations:

• Always have a single person responsible for accessing Crime Stoppers information, including on weekends, so that intelligence is shared as quickly as possible.
• Unmarked police cars should be inspected regularly, in the same manner as patrol cars, to ensure that all equipment is in working order.
• Ensure that flashing lights on unmarked cars are standardized and clearly visible when activated.
• At the time of intervention, police officers should wear outer clothing clearly identifying themselves as members of the police force.
• A patrol car with a police officer in uniform should be part of the intervention.

The chief coroner will forward these recommendations to the appropriate agency for consideration and response. The responses will be included in the chief coroner’s annual report for 2021.

An inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows for the public presentation of all evidence relating to a death. It does not make any finding of legal responsibility nor does it assign blame. However, recommendations can be made aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.