A New Brunswick RCMP officer has been charged after an investigation by an independent police watchdog.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) said it was contacted by the New Brunswick RCMP on June 3.

Police had received information suggesting a Codiac RCMP officer recently stationed out of province was engaged in criminal offences, SiRT said in a news release.

SiRT assisted and provided oversight of a specialized operation involving the Integrated Child Exploitation Unit and Digital Forensic Services.

On Monday, Cpl. Jeremy Bastarache was charged under Part V of the Criminal Code, which includes sexual offences, public morals, and disorderly conduct.

Erin Nauss, the director of SiRT, confirmed to our newsroom that the officer was charged with making an arrangement through telecommunication to commit a sexual offence against a person he believed was under 16.

Cpl. Hans Ouellette, a spokesperson for the New Brunswick RCMP, confirmed the member was released on conditions and has been suspended with pay.

“RCMP members are expected to hold themselves to a high moral and professional standard. We understand and respect the impact it can have on public trust when there is any allegation that a member has not met the standard that our communities deserve,” Ouellette said in an email.

“We will continue to support any investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) in order to ensure full accountability and transparency to the people of New Brunswick.”

Ouellette declined to comment further due to the independent nature of the SiRT investigation.