An RCMP constable who was stationed in Fond du Lac has been removed from the community and is now facing child porn related charges.
Superintendent Alfredo Bangloy spoke to reporters during a news conference at RCMP headquarters in Regina on Tuesday morning but was limited in what he could say as the case is now before the courts.
Bangloy says he is deeply disturbed by the charges against 31-year-old Constable Aiden Arthur Pratchett.
“It is bad enough when a general member of the public is facing child porn charges but it is even more disturbing when it is a member of law enforcement,” he says. “We are held to a higher standard of conduct and all members of the RCMP respect that and are expected to abide by a high standard of conduct, so as a member of the RCMP, to see this, it is very disappointing and very disturbing.”
Pratchett appeared before a justice of the peace Monday to face one charge of accessing child pornography and one charge of possessing child pornography.
Both charges are Criminal Code of Canada offenses that usually carry jail time ranging from 90 days to five years depending on how prosecutors decide to proceed.
Pratchett was removed from the community of Fond du Lac after the charges were laid but Bangloy was unwilling to say exactly why.
“Mr. Pratchett was removed from the community due to the nature of the allegations. A code of conduct was initiated and to protect the integrity of the investigation and it’s a small isolated community and that would have been a joint decision with senior management of the RCMP.”
Pratchett jointed the force in April 2010.
He was stationed in Porcupine Plane before being transferred to Fond du Lac.
Pratchett will make his first court appearance on the charges Jan. 28 in Prince Albert. He was suspended with pay back in October but this could change after his court appearance next month.
The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit obtained search warrants for his home and seized numerous computer devices.
The investigation is ongoing and RCMP have not ruled out further charges.