"This is certainly not something we like to do, but when allegations are made at this level that are this serious, we take them seriously and we act quickly to determine the validity of these allegations," said Cpl. Peter Thiessen.

"And if charges are warranted, we will absolutely forward them to Crown."

The officer was arrested on Jan. 27 and is suspended with pay.

Police would not say whether the allegations are about the possession, production or distribution of child pornography. The officer, whose rank was not disclosed, is also being investigated for unsafe storage of a firearm.

Mounties started an internal investigation after a complaint was forwarded to the detachment. Thiessen would not say if it was an internal or external complaint.

Multiple officers are now conducting the criminal investigation, which could take several weeks.

Thiessen said the allegations are unrelated to a major international child-pornography ring that was busted by Austrian authorities.

Last year, two Vancouver police officers were investigated for possession of child pornography on their home computers.

Now-retired Vancouver police Sgt. John Dragani was charged last June with possession of child pornography and accessing child porn.

Then in July, the department fired Tristan Johnson, a nine-year member of the force, for possessing child pornography.

Crown counsel have not yet determined whether to lay criminal charges in Johnson's case.

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© The Vancouver Province 2007