Just three years ago, the officer was a constable for the North Vancouver RCMP, where he was accused of trying to negotiate sexual favours from a 15-year-old girl, The Richmond Review has learned.

In that case, the officer was charged under the RCMP Act with disgraceful conduct.

But he was ultimately found not guilty by a three-person RCMP panel, who found that the bulk of the evidence supported the officer’s version of events.

The officer was accused of trying to negotiate sexual favours in return for money from the teen, whom he had arrested for shoplifting.

The Richmond RCMP officer has not been charged, but has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of a criminal investigation which also involves allegations of the unsafe storage of a firearm and other possible crimes.

Richmond RCMP Cpl. Peter Thiessen said police are not commenting on how many years of service the officer under investigation has, or what his duties were at the time he was suspended.

The officer was arrested on Jan. 27. The investigation was launched following a complaint, but Thiessen wouldn’t comment on whether that complaint was internal or external.

He said police are taking these allegations “extremely seriously.”

Thiessen said the investigation could be completed soon.

The police report will then be forwarded to the Crown which will then decide whether to lay charges.

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