Whitehorse RCMP officer charged with sexual assault
Police say the male officer touched a female RCMP employee without consent, while on duty in January
A Whitehorse RCMP officer has been charged with sexual assault, after allegedly touching a female co-worker without consent.
Police say the charge follows a months-long investigation led by a senior Yukon RCMP investigator, and a review by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). The investigation began soon after the incident was reported to Yukon RCMP senior managers earlier this year.
Police say the male officer, a 17-year veteran of the force, is accused of touching a female RCMP employee on January 4, while on duty at RCMP headquarters in Whitehorse.
It was reported to senior managers shortly afterwards, police said.
A criminal investigation was launched, as well as "the internal RCMP Conduct process," police say in a news release.
RCMP consulted with Yukon's justice department and ASIRT, and determined that a senior Yukon RCMP investigator would lead the investigation, followed by an ASIRT review.
That resulted in a recommendation to charge the officer with sexual assault. He was charged on May 25 and is due to appear in Yukon Territorial Court on June 14.
Police say the RCMP Conduct process is continuing.
Police have not identified the officer. He has been suspended with pay since February 6.