On Jan. 28, the Saskatchewan RCMP’s North District Management Team received information leading them to conduct a Canadian Firearms Registry check on an officer serving at the Waskesiu RCMP Detachment. The check revealed the officer’s personal firearms licence was expired, which meant he could not legally posses the .22 caliber pistol he owned.
The officer willingly surrendered the pistol.
A statutory investigation was requested by the Saskatchewan RCMP’s North District.
After consultation with Crown Prosecution, Rene Giroux was charged on June 30 with one count of unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm, contrary to Section 92(1) of the Canadian Criminal Code.
He will appear in Montreal Lake Cree Nation Court on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.
Sgt. Giroux remains on active duty. An internal Code of Conduct review is underway. Information about the RCMP Act, which governs conduct, is available online: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/amended-rcmp-act.
The ownership of the .22 caliber pistol was not related to the officer’s policing duties. On-duty possession of a firearm does not require a personal firearms licence. The RCMP Act authorizes officers to possess and use firearms in the course of their duties.
As this matter is before the courts and the subject of an internal review, RCMP are unable to provide any further information.
