The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an RCMP Officer in Nova Scotia committed a criminal offence.

On November 7, 2024, SiRT received a referral from the RCMP after a female alleged they were sexually assaulted by one of their officers in May 2024. The female and the officer are known to each other. SiRT began an investigation into the matter that day. As a result of the investigation, on June 23, 2025, Constable William McNutt was charged with sexual assault contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code.

Constable McNutt will appear before the Nova Scotia Provincial Court at 5 Mill Village Road, Shubenacadie on August 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

As the matter is before the courts SiRT will not provide any further comment on the investigation.

SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

NOTE: Anyone who has been impacted by sexual assault should visit their local hospital or contact a Sexual Assault Centre for help and guidance. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For more information visit: Types of Support – BreakTheSilence or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Help is always available.

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Media Contact

Khalehla Perrault
Manager of Communications & Special Projects
Email: Khalehla.Perrault@novascotia.ca