SiRT lays charges for theft, breach of trust by a police officer against a member of the Provincial Crime Reduction Unit
A Woodstock RCMP officer is facing theft and breach of trust charges in relation to missing evidence, including cash.
In an Oct. 21 media release, Erin Nauss, the director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), stated investigators have “reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an RCMP officer committed criminal offences.”
Nauss explained that the SiRT opened the investigation on April 15, following a referral from the RCMP “J” Division regarding missing and unaccounted-for exhibits, including cash, previously seized during an investigation.
The SiRT began an investigation that day, leading to charges on Oct.21 against Cst. Christopher Sorensen, a member of the Provincial Crime Reduction Unit located in Woodstock. He faces four counts of theft, contrary to s. 334 of the Criminal Code and one count of breach of trust by a public officer, contrary to s. 122 of the Criminal Code.
Sorensen will appear before the New Brunswick Provincial Court in Woodstock at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 30.
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, 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.
