An RCMP officer at the Carlyle detachment in southeast Saskatchewan is facing charges after an investigation into a complaint made late last year. Constable Dani Zaya was charged with assault with a weapon after the use of pepper spray during a traffic stop on October 31st.  

In a release Friday, the RCMP stated officers from the Carlyle detachment had made a traffic stop in the town of Arcola. One of the occupants of the vehicle, a man, was arrested by Cst. Zaya. During the arrest, pepper spray was deployed.  

The investigation started after a formal complaint was filed on November 18th. The investigation was completed on February 12th and Cst. Zaya was charged on June 23rd after consulting with the Crown prosecutors. Cst. Zaya will be making his next court appearance in Carlyle on July 14th.  

Cst. Zaya has been suspended with pay since the beginning of the investigation. 

“Complaints such as the one received in relation to the above incident are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” said A/Commr. Rhonda Blackmore, Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP. “The Saskatchewan RCMP has previously committed that if RCMP officers are criminally charged, we will be transparent and notify the public. This is one such example.”