A New Brunswick RCMP officer has been charged with assault following an investigation by an independent police watchdog.
Codiac Regional RCMP Const. Billy Parent-Roy faces a single count of assault causing bodily harm, the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (NS SiRT) announced Thursday.
The charge stems from an alleged incident which took place on June 29, 2022, involving a person in custody.
In a previous news release, Mounties said a 51-year-old man had been arrested under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act.
Because the cells at the Codiac Regional RCMP were closed, police said officers had to transport the man to the Shediac RCMP detachment cell block.
The man, who police alleged at the time was “agitated and aggressive,” was placed in handcuffs and leg cuffs.
“While being moved to the cell area, an altercation ensued between the man and four RCMP members,” the police force said in a news release.
One officer suffered a non-life threatening injury as a result of the altercation. The man was not hurt.
Mounties referred the incident to the Serious Incident Response Team exactly one month later.
The New Brunswick RCMP released a statement on Thursday saying it is treating the “very serious allegation” as such.
“RCMP members are expected to hold themselves to a high moral and professional standard. We understand and respect the impact it can have on public trust when there is any allegation that a member has not met the standard that our communities deserve,” said the statement.
“We will continue to support any further investigation and the ongoing criminal proceedings, in order to ensure full accountability and transparency to the people of New Brunswick.”
Parent-Roy has been on administrative duties since Aug. 4, according to the release. The RCMP said it will proceed with appropriate actions pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
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