Trial of RCMP officer accused of sexual assault adjourned

The trial of an RCMP officer accused of committing a sexual assault in Auburn in the mid 1990s has been adjourned to February.

Const. Charles Kwatei Quartey, 60, of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, was present in Kentville provincial court as his trial got underway on Dec. 18 and 19. The court heard evidence and exhibits were entered before the matter was adjourned to Feb. 25 for the trial continuation. According to court documents, it’s possible an application could be made to lift the publication ban in the case when the trial continues. The ban protects the identity of the alleged victim.

It’s alleged Quartey committed the sexual assault in Auburn between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 1995. The charge has not been proven in court.

Quartey had initially elected trial by Supreme Court judge alone. It was determined there was enough evidence for a committal to Supreme Court at a preliminary inquiry held on May 28 but Quartey re-elected provincial court with the consent of the Crown.

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.

Quartey, who is posted to the Northwest Territories, was placed on administrative duties in November 2015 and has been sus- pended from duty since June 17, 2016.

According to a news release issued by the RCMP after the charge was laid, Quartey will remain off duty until the criminal charge against him is resolved, when his duty status will be reviewed. Two internal Code of Conduct investigations were undertaken in relation to Quartey’s conduct.

Quartey, who has been with the RCMP for more than a quarter century, was assigned to the Northwest Territories Relief Unit in July 2014.