Red Deer RCMP officer charged with theft, possessing property obtained by crime

Multiple charges have been laid against anow-suspended Red Deer RCMP officer related to alleged theft from a neighbouring local detachment.

Cpl. Brandon Smith was charged twicewith theft under $5,000, and twice with possession of property obtained by crime under$5,000.

According to a Blackfalds RCMPrelease, RCMP were made aware of allegations that an officer was in possession of "seized exhibits" from the Blackfaldsdetachment in May 2022.

Blackfaldsis a town in central Alberta about 17 kilometres north of Red Deer.

RCMPsay theysearched Smith's home in Red Deer on July 10with a warrant. During that search they seized items believed to have been stolen from the exhibit room at the Blackfalds detachment.

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Smith isset to appear in court on Aug. 16 in Red Deer.

He is currently suspended with pay as he awaits court and the internal investigation continues, says RCMP.