N.S. police watchdog charges Mountie with indecent exposure

Editor's note: The charge was withdrawn May 12, 2023 in Sydney provincial court.

A Nova ScotiaRCMPofficer has been charged with indecent exposure following an investigation by the province's police watchdog.

The Serious Incident Response Team announced Tuesday thatConst. Justin Sanford of theBaddeckdetachment is facinga single charge for violating section 173(1) of the Criminal Code.

The agency said theRCMPreached out inDecember about an investigation theywere conducting into an incident alleged to have occurred in2021.

After conducting its own investigation,the agency deemed the charge was "appropriate in the circumstances."

In a statement on Wednesday, theRCMPsaid theEskasonidetachment commander became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct made against Sanford onDec. 12, 2022. Sanford, 34, was posted to theEskasonidetachment at the time.

"The matter was immediately referred to the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team, and I suspendedConst. Sanford from duty," Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, commanding officer of the Nova ScotiaRCMP, said in the statement.

"These criminal charges are disturbing andConst. Sanford, who's been anRCMPmember for fiveyears, remains suspended from duty."

He addedthat an internal code of conduct process has begun.

Section 173(1) of the Criminal Coderefers to anyone charged with "an indecent act in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or in any place with intent to insult or offend any person."

Sanford is expected to appear at the Sydney Provincial Courton April 28.