RCMP officer charged with sexual assault yet to enter plea

An RCMP officer accused of committing a sexual assault on a woman while he was posted to Bridgetown, Annapolis County more than 20 years ago is scheduled to back in court in October.

Const. Charles Kwatei Quartey, 58, of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, was not present for an initial appearance in Kentville provincial court Tuesday. He had earlier filed designation of counsel and was represented by lawyer David Bright.

The court granted a publication ban to protect the identity of the alleged victim. The matter was adjourned to Oct. 25 for election and plea.

Quartey is charged with committing a sexual assault on a woman in Auburn between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 1995. The RCMP’s Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit laid the charge against Quartey in July 2016.

While dealing with an unrelated matter in July 2015, information came forward to RCMP members that Quartey had sexually assaulted a woman while posted to the Bridgetown detachment in 1995.

The charge relates to Quartey’s conduct with a woman he met during the course of his duties as a police officer. It’s alleged that he touched the woman in a sexual manner without her consent.

Quartey is currently posted to the Northwest Territories. He was placed on administrative duties in November 2015 and has been suspended from duty since June 17. According to a news release issued by the RCMP in July, Quartey will remain off duty until the criminal charge against him is resolved. His duty status will be reviewed at that time. The charge against him has not been proven in court.

The release stated that two internal Code of Conduct investigations are also underway in relation to Quartey’s conduct. He has 24 years of service and has been assigned to the Northwest Territories Relief Unit since July 2014.