RCMP Chief Superintendent responds to assault charges against officer
Posted Feb 1, 2025 11:01:35 AM.
Last Updated Feb 3, 2025 11:25:46 AM.
Nova Scotia’s police watchdog has laid assault charges against an RCMP officer in Bridgewater.
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has said it has “reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an off-duty RCMP Officer committed a criminal offence in relation to an incident involving a female known to him.”
The watchdog service said it got a referral from the Bridgewater Police Service on Dec. 22 regarding an incident that took place on Dec. 20.
As a result of the investigation, Constable Reece Smith, who has been a member of the RCMP since February 2024, was charged with assault on Jan. 31.
“This criminal charge is disconcerting, and undoubtedly alarming to those we serve,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Dan Morrow, said in a statement. “The RCMP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously; our employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that not only meets, but exceeds, the rightfully high expectations of Canadians.”
Chief Morrow said Smith is currently on administrative leave as an internal code of conduct investigation is underway.
“Cst. Smith’s duty status will be continuously assessed throughout both the court and internal processes,” he said.
The accused will be in court on Feb. 19 to answer the charge.
