Statement

Concluding Statement for Elsipogtog

April 3, 2025 - Fredericton, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP

Content

Today, the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) released their report regarding the circumstances involving the death of 35-year-old Steven Dedam, of Elsipogtog First Nation. You can view the report by visiting https://sirt.novascotia.ca/.

On September 8, 2024, the New Brunswick Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to a call for service which resulted in Mr. Dedam being fatally wounded. This tragic loss of life has had profound repercussions for Mr. Dedam's family, his loved ones, and the entire community including RCMP employees in New Brunswick.

A police officer’s decision to use any level of force includes many factors in order to make a proper assessment of risk. RCMP officers undergo rigorous training and recertifications to ensure they have the proper skills and tools needed to respond properly in extremely difficult circumstances. When police officers respond to high risk calls which require them to make decisions and take actions, they carry the weight of these outcomes for the rest of their lives.

The New Brunswick RCMP remains accountable to the public for the service we provide, and we will always be committed to keeping people and communities safe. For that reason, the New Brunswick RCMP is diligent in requesting external reviews of critical incidents involving our members and is grateful to the SIRT for conducting this difficult review.

There has been a lot of attention over the past years regarding interactions between police and marginalized groups. These serve as important reminders to be introspective about our own origins, culture and current operations, as well as to be part of a greater shift towards a more inclusive, accepting, and compassionate society for all.

The New Brunswick RCMP continues to advocate for initiatives and support programs that will help Indigenous First Nations as we progress forward. The New Brunswick RCMP fully respects and continually promotes the cultures, values, and traditions of Indigenous peoples and understands the important role police officers have in Indigenous First Nations communities.

The New Brunswick RCMP respects the decision made by the SIRT, and will not be offering any further comments in relation to their investigation.

Respectfully,

Matco Sirotic

Assistant Commissioner
J Division Commanding Officer