News release

Update: 58-year-old man charged in connection with Personation of a Peace Officer

August 27, 2025 - Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP

Content

Update: On August 29, 2025, Daniel Downey appeared in Moncton Provincial Court and several additional charges were laid against him, including:

• Six counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Four counts of uttering threats to cause death against a person
• Three counts of uttering threats to cause damage to property
• Two counts of Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Arson
• Conspire to commit an indictable offence
• Attempt to commit an indictable offence

Daniel Downey remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on September 5. 

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Original news release: 

A 58-year-old man from Pointe-du-Chêne has been charged in connection with several offences, including personation of a peace officer, in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B.

On August 26, 2025, members of the Shediac RCMP detachment received information that an individual was in possession of what was believed to be a retired police car, police uniforms, and other equipment, and was intending to commit criminal offences while personating a police officer.

Later the same day, members of the RCMP’s Southeast District Crime Reduction Unit, Codiac Crime Reduction Unit, and Provincial Crime Reduction Unit executed search warrants at two residences in Pointe-du-Chêne in connection with the investigation. A 58-year-old man was arrested at one of the residences without incident.

During the searches, police seized two firearms, several pieces of police uniforms including duty belts, a Ford Taurus, radios, lights and sirens, and more.

On August 27, 58-year-old Daniel Downey appeared in Moncton Provincial Court by way of tele-remand, and was charged with:

• Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Unlawfully conspired to personate a peace officer by being in possession of police equipment and uniforms
• Unsafe storage of a firearm
• Failure to comply with conditions of a release order

He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on August 29 at 1:30 p.m.

“Our priority is protecting the public, and in the interest of public safety, our officers acted on this immediately to ensure that this situation came to a swift resolution,” says Cpl. Matthew Leblanc-Smith of the New Brunswick RCMP. “Personating a police officer is an extremely serious offence that can have dire consequences for both the public and the offender.”

It is a criminal offence under section 130 of the Criminal Code of Canada to personate a police officer. If you notice anything suspicious, or if anything seems “off,” call your local police or 911.

The investigation is ongoing.

Cpl. Matthew Leblanc-Smith
Media Relations Officer
New Brunswick RCMP
506-452-4252
rcmpnb.grcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca