Alberta team investigating complaint against RNC officer who fatally shot Don Dunphy

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has confirmed that one of its members is being investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

CBC News has confirmedthat Const. Joe Smyth is the officer the teamis investigating.

ASIRT a group that that independently investigates serious incidents that arise from the actions of police in Alberta said it's conducting a criminalinvestigation of a professional misconductallegation.

An ASIRTofficial said specifically, the team is looking into contact between an RNCofficer and a member of the public in May 2017.

The team has visited the provinceand since returned to Alberta, where it willprepare a report on the investigation. The investigators have not determined if criminal charges are warranted, andASIRTdoesn't determine the work status of officers it investigates.

Smythis the police officer who fatally shot Donald Dunphyin his Mitchells Brook home in April 2015.

• ASIRTtold DonDunphy'sdaughter evidence was lost, lawyer says

In 2015, theRCMPwere called into investigateDunphy'sshooting and determined no charges were warranted againstSmyth,who maintained he fired his gun in self-defence afterDunphypointed a rifle at him.

Placed on administrative duty

In a statement issued late Monday afternoon, RNCChief Joe Bolandsaid "the officer in questionhas been temporarily placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of theASIRTinvestigation."

Bolanddid not provide details on the nature of the complaint that is being investigated.

"Inotified the Department Justice and Public Safety and requested that an outside agency conduct the investigation into the complaint. The Department of Justice and Public Safety subsequently requested the assistance of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT)," he said.

'Has to be taken seriously'

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons weighed in on the issue Monday.

"Whenever something like this comes up involving our police forces, it has to be taken seriously. And the fact that it is referred shows that it isbeing taken seriously and having an independent investigation done," said Parsons.

Newfoundland and Labradordoesn't have an independent investigative body, but the province iscurrently preparing to launch its ownsimilar agency.