On August 4, 2016, SiRT received information from the RCMP regarding alleged actions of a member of the Bridgewater Police Service in relation to a 17-year-old female. SiRT opened an investigation at that time, which included taking statements from several witnesses and seeking evidence from a variety of sources. Some of that information related to certain documentary evidence from a third party which was not received until the last week of April, 2017. As a result, the investigation was not completed until May 3, 2017.
Today SiRT charged Chief John Collyer of the Bridgewater Police Service with three offences: One charge of sexual assault, contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code, and two counts of sexual exploitation, contrary to sections 153(1)(a) and (b). These offences are alleged to have occurred between April 1, 2016, and July 31, 2016. Chief Collyer is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Bridgewater on June 14, 2017.
A complete copy of SiRT’s report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.
SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.
.
Source: Media Release
