REGINA, Sask. — The Regina Police Service says it has suspended one of its officers after he was charged with breach of trust and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
The charges were laid Tuesday against Constable Sheldon Kowalchuk following an internal investigation and consultation with Crown Prosecutors, RPS states in a media release.
The investigation stemmed from an incident during a provincial firearm amnesty in 2022.
The release states, “The Breach of Trust is alleged to have been committed in connection with the duties of his office by obtaining, for his own benefit, a prohibited firearm that was delivered to him for destruction during an amnesty period.”
A firearm amnesty is a temporary period during which people can surrender their firearms for destruction without facing criminal penalties, provided they follow the conditions of the amnesty, the RPS explained.
Kowalchuk was also charged with possessing a prohibited firearm without a license or registration certificate.
The seven-year constable with the Regina Police Service will make his first appearance on these charges in Regina Provincial Court on Dec. 15.
The Regina Police Service Professional Standards Unit is leading this investigation. The RPS asks anyone with information to contact the Regina Police Service Professional Standards Unit at 306-777-6514.
The RPS says they have issued their news release in accordance with past practice of the Regina Police Service, consistent with the service’s commitment to public accountability and transparency.
A media availability will be held with Chief Lorilee Davies at noon. An update to this story will follow.
