New Brunswick·NewCharges alleging that a southeast New Brunswick man attempted and conspired to impersonate an RCMP officer were dropped on Wednesday, but a judge denied him bail on the remaining charges.Daniel Downey denied bail on charges related to firearms, allegedly stolen police gearShane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Oct 08, 2025 3:32 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoRCMP have said that searches of two homes in August led to officers seizing firearms, parts of police uniforms, lights and other equipment. (RCMP/Submitted)Charges alleging that a southeast New Brunswick man attempted or intended to impersonate an RCMP officer and threatened several people were dropped by the prosecution Wednesday.However, a judge later ruled the man will have to remain in custody ahead of his trial on other charges next year.A total of 23 charges were laid in August against Daniel Ray Downey, 58, of Pointe-du-Chêne. He had been seeking bail ahead of his trial in January. But as Downey’s bail hearing began Wednesday, Crown prosecutor Clémence Talbot said the Crown was withdrawing nine of the charges. Those include attempting and conspiring to personate an officer, and threatening several people. No reason for those charges being dropped was given in court. Downey’s remaining charges include an alleged arson in 2023, possessing stolen police equipment, and various firearms offences, so his bail hearing continued. Judge Paul Duffie ruled Wednesday afternoon that Downey will not be released on bail. A publication ban prevents reporting evidence heard during the hearing, as well as the reasons for the judge’s bail decision. Trial to be held in provincial courtDowney has pleaded not guilty to most of the charges he faces, though has yet to enter a plea on the arson charge. He elected to be tried in provincial court for most of the charges, and that trial is scheduled for Jan. 21-22.Downey returns to court Oct. 16 to set a trial date on the arson charge. In late August, New Brunswick RCMP said in a news release that officers from the Shediac detachment had responded to a report saying a person possessed a retired police car, police uniforms and other equipment, and intended to commit crimes while personating a police officer. Police said officers carried out searches of two homes in Pointe-du-Chêne, and arrested Downey at one of them.Officers seized two firearms, pieces of police uniforms, a Ford Taurus, radios, lights and sirens, the news release said. ABOUT THE AUTHORShane Magee is a Moncton-based reporter for CBC News.
N.B. man no longer facing charges related to police impersonation and uttering threats
