RCMP officer in cuffs following ‘creep catcher’ confrontation

RCMP in Surrey have arrested one of their own, after an online vigilante group accused the Mountie of trying to meet with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Acting Cmdr. Brenda Butterworth-Carr said the officer is still in custody and facing potential charges connected to an investigation “which includes allegations of child luring and sexual exploitation.”

The arrest happened after a Sept. 7 incident that saw the Surrey Creep Catchers livestream a confrontation with the suspect on facebook.

Butterworth-Carr said the RCMP responded to the incident, which happened at a mall on King George Highway, shortly after 10 p.m. when it began getting traction on social media.

She said police immediately launched an investigation, and within a few hours identified the suspect officer.

Over the past two days, investigators have identified potential witnesses, seized a number of exhibits and continue to conduct interviews. The investigation is being led by the Surrey RCMP Professional Standards Unit, with support from the BC Integrated Child Exploitation Unit and Surrey RCMP Major Crimes.

The RCMP have also started an internal Code of Conduct investigation under the RCMP Act.

Butterworth-Carr said the officer will be removed from duty and the RCMP intends to suspend him.

“His status will be continually assessed based on the results of the Criminal Code and internal Code of Conduct investigation. His name cannot be released at this time as charges have not been approved by Crown Counsel,” she said.

“I want to be very clear that if the allegations are substantiated, we will be immediately taking steps to separate ourselves from this individual. These allegations are egregious and not in keeping with what we expect from our employees. There is no place in the RCMP for this type of behaviour or individual.”

Butterworth-Carr stressed that the officer in custody is not the same person who has been named by some on social media.

“The misinformation and unfair assumptions attached to [the officer] have been extremely difficult for him and his family and is an example of why we ask for an investigation, due process and formal charges to be considered before any name is discussed publicly – including on social media,” she said.