In a surprising turn of events, the New Brunswick Crown Prosecutor’s Office has withdrawn all charges against a former Fredericton Police Force auxiliary officer who had been facing serious allegations including sexual assault and child pornography-related offences.
Robert Hartlen, 56, was originally charged in May following an investigation conducted by the Fredericton Police Force’s special crimes unit. The former volunteer officer served with the auxiliary program between 2010 and 2015, though authorities had previously confirmed that the alleged incidents did not occur during his time of service.
During a scheduled court appearance on Thursday morning, the Crown announced the withdrawal of all charges. According to a Department of Justice spokesperson, a thorough post-charge reassessment and review of additional information led prosecutors to conclude there was no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction. The spokesperson emphasized that the Crown has an ongoing obligation to continuously evaluate charges throughout the duration of any case.
The Fredericton Police Force issued a statement accepting the Crown’s decision, though noting that the outcome was unexpected. The force expressed respect for the prosecution’s duty to proceed only when conviction is reasonably likely, while acknowledging the significant impact such cases have on victims, families, and the broader community. Police officials also clarified that this matter has no connection to any other ongoing or previous investigations.
