An 18-year veteran of the Saint John Police Force is facing a criminal charge after an investigation.

According to a release, the investigation was conducted by the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force after a public complaint.

The detective constable has been charged with breach of public trust under the Criminal Code.

The release said the officer is scheduled to appear in provincial court Dec. 2.

The officer has been suspended with pay pending the criminal proceedings.

An investigation under the New Brunswick Police Act will follow.

The release said the investigation did not meet the mandate of the Serious Incident Response Team.

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

Saint John police Chief Robert Bruce said the public’s trust and confidence are paramount to the force.

“We will continue to hold our members to the highest standard of accountability while being transparent,” Bruce said in a release.

Bruce said there would be no further comment while the matter is in front of the courts.