Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution. The Police Act allows for the use of arbitration to settle disputes.

Under the Police Act, the Police Commission can schedule an arbitration hearing when the parties to a settlement conference cannot reach agreement in a reasonable period or a police officer, alleged to have breached the Code of Professional Conduct Regulation does not attend a settlement conference.

Arbitration hearings conducted under the Police Act use independent arbitrators. The arbitrator acts like a judge. S/he hears the details of the dispute and issues a decision. The decision is final and binding on all parties involved.

The Police Commission maintains a list of Arbitrators. To be eligible for appointment as an arbitrator, an individual must:

• Be a lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of New Brunswick or another jurisdiction in Canada; or be a member or former member of the judiciary in Canada,
• Agree not to act as a representative at a settlement conference or arbitration hearing,
• Agree to not give legal advice on any police matter to a party to an arbitration hearing either before or during an arbitration hearing,
• Possess demonstrable experience in labour - management relations, disciplinary arbitrations, and the writing of arbitration decisions.

The Police Commission maintains a list of scheduled arbitration hearings. Arbitration hearings are open to the public unless (in rare circumstances) the arbitrator, in accord with the Police Act, decides to close the hearing to the public. 

Decisions made by the arbitrator are maintained by the Commission.