Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault, breach of trust

“Sexual assaults are difficult enough for people who have been sexually assaulted, it would seem reasonable that it’s only more difficult for those women or children or victims when the perpetrator is a police officer,” she said Thursday.

“When these incidents take place during the execution of the duties that makes it extremely serious.”

Hughson refused to give any information about the complainants but praised them for coming forward.

“In particular, the first young lady to come forward in the first place, it took great courage for her to step forward and tell investigators what happened.”

RCMP Chief Supt. George Stephenson said Tress, an eight-year veteran of the force, was suspended with pay last August, a month after the investigation began.

“These charges are very serious,” he said. “The fact that he is suspended acknowledges the RCMP’s concern about the serious nature of these offences that he is now facing.”

Stephenson declined to provide details of Tress’s RCMP background or the allegations, including whether they involved women who were being held in custody.

He suggested the charges won’t reflect badly on the RCMP.

“It is not a reflection on the 3,200 officers that serve in Alberta,” he said. “We are faced with a situation of an individual who is facing criminal charges as a result of ASIRT’s investigation.”

Hughson said the first woman who came forward filed a complaint with the RCMP. The Mounties then referred the complaint to Alberta’s Justice department, which ordered ASIRT to investigate.

She said during the investigation ASIRT became aware of the other allegations involving two other women.

Tress is to appear in Red Deer provincial court on April 12.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault, breach of trust

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