FOND-DU-LAC, Sask. – A Saskatchewan RCMP officer is facing child pornography charges. Aiden Arthur Pratchett, 31, is charged with accessing child pornography and possessing child pornography.
The charges against Pratchett, a constable in Fond-du-Lac, Sask., were laid Dec. 22 after an investigation was launched by the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit in September.
Staff Sgt. Ron Weir said officers had been conducting an internal police investigation into file sharing and were tracing IP addresses when they identified the fellow Mountie as a suspect.
“It’s very disturbing when any member of a law enforcement agency in Canada or around the world is into this type of material,” Weir told reporters Tuesday. “It was quite disappointing and disturbing as police officer that we would have to investigate one of our own.”
Weir added that there is no evidence suggesting the officer knew the children pictured in the pornography. He said the criminal investigation is also continuing and further charges could be laid.
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Pratchett, who has been with the force since April 2010, was immediately suspended from the force when the charges were laid. He had previously served in the town of Porcupine Plain.
Members of the ICE unit searched Pratchett’s home on Oct. 16, recovering numerous computer devices. He was removed from the community at that time and the following day, was suspended from the force with pay. A code of conduct was also ordered on Oct. 17.
“Allegations like these are disturbing when made against a member of the general public. We find it extremely disturbing that a serving police officer is facing charges like this,” said RCMP Superintendent Alfredo Bangloy.
Pratchett appeared before a justice of the peace on Monday and has been released on the conditions that he have no Internet access, not possess data storage devices and stay away from children. He will make his first court appearance in Prince Albert on Jan. 28, 2015.
With files from The Canadian Press
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