Nova Scotia RCMP officer cleared of indecent act, sexual assault in Truro region: SiRT

HALIFAX, N.S. — A Nova Scotia RCMP officer accused of an indecent act and sexual assault won’t face any charges, according to the province’s police watchdog.

The Serious Incident Respond Team (SiRT) said its investigation into an alleged Feb. 28, 2023, incident in the Truro region, in which an officer exposed himself to the complainant and requested oral sex and later tried to kiss the complainant at their home, yielded “no reasonable grounds to lay a charge.”

In its report, interim director Erin E. Nauss said the complainant was at a local watering hole speaking with a friend who worked there on the afternoon of the day in question when the complainant eventually ended up sitting with the off-duty officer. The friend, a witness to the investigation, “described the two as talking throughout the evening, smiling, having fun, and general flirting.”

At the end of their evening, the officer offered to walk the complainant home. Neither the friend nor another witness who spoke with the complainant recalled them having slurred speech before leaving between 7 and 8 p.m.

On their way home, the complainant contended the officer took their hand to lead them down a path, walked ahead slightly and turned around only to reveal exposed genitalia and ask for fellatio. When refused, the officer reportedly apologized and continued to walk the complainant home at which point they were asked to leave.

Awakened by noise outside later that night, the complainant said the officer had returned and they themselves were unable to recall if they had spoken to the officer on the phone. They were also unsure if the officer came inside of their own volition or if they were invited in, but they were sure the officer tried to kiss them. The officer was refused, pushed away and “left shortly thereafter without any further incident.”

“Although not required by law, the (subject officer) did not provide a statement in this matter,” wrote Nauss.

Regarding the indecency claim, she said, based on evidence, the act didn’t “exceed the community standard of tolerance and present a significant risk of harm.”

As for whether the attempted kiss amounted to sexual assault, Nauss determined there wasn’t enough reliable evidence and there was some conflicting evidence from the complainant related to gaps in their memory.

“I am mindful that this matter has impacted the (affected party) and the challenges relating to reporting such alleged incidents,” Nauss wrote in her conclusion. “The release of detailed information related to reported sexual assaults may deter reporting of such matters, which are generally under-reported.”