Bridgewater’s police chief has been charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl.
The Serious Incident Response Team opened an investigation against John Collyer in August 2016.
Along with the assault charge, Collyer is facing two counts of sexual exploitation.
The offences are believed to have happened between April and July of 2016.
Collyer, who has served as chief since 2011, has been on administrative leave since the investigation started nine months ago.
In a release, SiRT says some evidence didn’t come to light until last week.
He’s scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on June 14th.
Meanwhile, all questions about the matter are being referred to the Bridgewater Police commission.
Chair Pat Cappello says they’ve been informed of the charges and have begun the process of deciding next steps.
Beyond that, the commission isn’t saying much.
“The board of police commissioners has no further comment on the personnel matter and the SiRT investigation o f Chief Collyer.”
He says the commission has full faith the Bridgewater Police Service will continue to serve the town well while the case makes its way through the courts.
