RCMP & SiRT releases:

The Nova Scotia RCMP is sharing the following media release from the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) in relation to its independent investigation into an allegation of misuse of force against an RCMP member posted to West Hants Detachment.

On September 26, SiRT charged the member with Assault under Section 266 of the Criminal Code.

This criminal charge is disconcerting and we take these incidents seriously. The member, Cpl. Dale Keeping, is currently on administrative duties. His duty status will be reviewed pending an internal code of conduct investigation and the court process.

Media release issued by SiRT:

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an RCMP officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the assault of a youth on March 8, 2024.

The SiRT received the referral on May 3, 2024, from the West Hants RCMP and the Department of Community Services and began its investigation into the matter that day. As a result of the SiRT investigation, on September 26, 2024, Corporal Dale Keeping was charged with assault contrary to s. 266 of the Criminal Code.

Corporal Dale Keeping will appear before the Nova Scotia Provincial Court at 240 King Street, Windsor, Nova Scotia on October 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SiRT will not provide further comment on the investigation.

The SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.