RCMP officer in B.C. suspended during criminal investigation and internal probe

An officer with the RCMP detachment in Surrey, B.C., has been suspended amid a criminal investigation that's expected to lead to formal charges.

RCMP spokeswoman Dawn Roberts says the Mountie was arrested last week and released, noting an internal code-of-conduct investigation is also underway.

She says the officer was still within a two-year probationary period after just a few months on the job.

Roberts says the ongoing criminal investigation by members of the RCMP's provincial headquarters had been underway "for some time" before the Mountie was taken into custody.

She declined to provide details about the allegations, saying further information would be provided pending the approval of charges.

Roberts says the officer has been suspended with pay, but the RCMP could apply to have that assessed as both investigations proceed.