Sask. RCMP officer suspended, charged after pepper spray incident

A Carlyle RCMP officer is facing one charge of assault with a weapon after a complaint made about a vehicle stop and arrest in Arcola last October.

On Oct. 31, RCMP officers from the Carlyle detachment stopped a vehicle in Arcola to conduct an investigation pertaining to the Alcohol Gaming and Regulations Act.

A man who was in the vehicle was arrested by Const. Dani Zaya during the investigation. While interacting with the man, Zaya used pepper spray.

A complaint in relation to the incident was made on Nov. 18. The RCMP South District Management Team began an investigation that day and a statutory investigation was also requested by RCMP South District on Nov. 20.

According to a release, the RCMP says the investigation was completed on Feb. 12 of this year. Zaya was charged and arrested on Wednesday and released on conditions. He is scheduled to appear in Carlyle Provincial Court on July 14.

In the release, the RCMP says contraventions of its code of conduct are taken seriously, resulting in Zaya’s current suspension with pay from the law enforcement body. Zaya was on administrative duties until Jan. 20.

“Complaints such as the one received in relation to the above incident are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” said Rhonda Blackmore, the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP.

“The Saskatchewan RCMP has previously committed that if RCMP officers are criminally charged, we will be transparent and notify the public. This is one such example.”

The officer now faces one count of assault with a weapon. The charge can carry a penalty of imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Further information on the incident is not available while the matter remains before the courts.