NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A police officer in British Columbia has been charged with sexual assault stemming a 2005 incident in Victoria.
New Westminster police say in a new release one of their officers, Cst. Sukhwinder Dosajnh, was arrested Tuesday after an investigation by the Victoria Police Department.
Police say the incident allegedly happened while Dosajnh was off-duty, but the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner was informed of the investigation.
Dosajnh was suspended from duty after being released on bail and the New Westminster police board is considering "the provisions of an unpaid suspension."
As the Disciplinary Authority on the Police Act matters, Chief Constable Jones was unable to make comment. Deputy Chief Constable Dave Jansen did have the following to say:
“This is always concerning when a police officer is accused of a criminal offence, especially one as serious as this. The New Westminster Police is committed to maintaining public trust and accountability and within the bounds of what due process allows, we will be as transparent on this process as we can. In spite of this allegation against one of our members, the women and men of this Department remain committed to providing professional service to the members of this community.”
Police say Dosajnh will also be subject to a Police Act investigation and is expected to make his next court appearance for the criminal charge on Aug. 17.
NWPD member charged with sexual assault. He has been suspended from duty and his pay is being reviewed. https://t.co/4kzq9S1Hgg
— New West Police (@NewWestPD) August 2, 2017
Deputy Chief Dave Jansen says it's always concerning when a police officer is accused of a criminal offence and the department is committed to maintaining public trust and accountability.
"In spite of this allegation against one of our members, the women and men of this department remain committed to providing professional service to the members of this community,” Jansen said in a statement.
