VIDEO: Regina cop charged after allegedly keeping gun turned in during amnesty

A Regina police officer is facing two charges after allegedly keeping a gun that was delivered to him to be destroyed during an amnesty period in 2022.

According to the Regina Police Service, Const. Sheldon Kowalchuk – who has been a police officer in the Queen City for seven years – was charged with breach of trust and possession of a prohibited firearm Tuesday after an internal investigation.

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“The Breach of Trust is alleged to have been committed in connection with the duties of his office by obtaining, for his own benefit, a prohibited firearm that was delivered to him for destruction during an amnesty period,” the police force said in a statement.

“The firearms charge alleges he possessed a prohibited firearm without being the holder of a license under which he may possess it and a registration certificate for the firearm.”

Regina Police Chief Lorilee Davies said the incident occurred in 2022, but was only brought to the attention of the police in the spring of this year by the Saskatchewan Firearms Office.

She explained Kowalchuk would have gone out to this call for service by himself, but she declined to say whether it’s believed Kowalchuk took the gun or came to an arrangement with the person who wanted to give it up, saying that would come out in court.

Davies said the gun is a Bushmaster XM15-E2S, an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle. That kind of gun was restricted, and Davies said it became a prohibited weapon in May 2020.

The police force explained that amnesty periods – like the one in 2022 – allow the public to surrender firearms for destruction without facing criminal penalties.

However, Davies said the Regina police hasn’t participated in a gun amnesty program in several years.

To her knowledge, Davies said there’s no history of disciplinary action for Kowalchuk.

“I think no matter who the officer is, any time that we’re rising to the level of a criminal charge, it’s disappointing. Obviously, we expect better decision-making in all situations,” said Davies.

She said no police chief wants to be in the position of having to tell the public about a member being criminally charged.

“It’s important to me that we’re accountable, that we show that we have a set of standards, that you know we’re not sweeping anything under the rug, and again, it’s just our commitment to the community that this isn’t something that we tolerate, and that we’ll work hard to do what we can to earn the trust of the community.”

When asked about stopping something like this from happening in the future, Davies said they can’t keep eyes on every member 24 hours a day.

“We hire good people, they understand our policies, they understand our expectations. Ninety-nine-point-nine per cent of the time, our folks do everything correctly,” she said.

Kowalchuk is expected to appear in court in mid-December. He’s been suspended with pay, as per The Police Act.