Halifax Regional Police detective facing sexual assault charges

Nova Scotia's police watchdog has laid charges against a veteran member of the Halifax Regional Police.

TheSerious Incident Response Team (SIRT) said Det.Const.Joseph Farrow, 51, is charged withunlawfully entering a home and sexualassault.

SIRT said in a news release that Farrow knew the owner of the home, whom he is accused of sexually assaulting.

Halifax Regional Police confirmed earlier Thursday that one of their own officers wasbeing held in custody Wednesday night after an incident, but gave no further details about what sparked the arrest.

The officer was off duty when hewas arrested at a home in Tantallon around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Halifax police said the officer has been suspended with pay, which is in line with the Nova Scotia Police Act.