A member of the St. Paul RCMP detachment has been suspended and is facing several child pornography-related charges following an investigation from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit
ALERT officials say the investigation into 33-year-old Evan Peacock started in November 2023, when the accused allegedly uploaded a pair of what is being described as videos depicting child sexual exploitation to a social media platform. They were tipped off about the alleged upload from the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Center. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at the accused’s home, where authorities say evidence was seized, with a forensic investigation set to be conducted on the devices seized by police.
Authorities say Peacock’s identity was only learned earlier this month, which prompted an “expeditious” effort to make an arrest.
In a statement, St. Paul Detachment NCO Bobby Burgess says the detachment personnel are shocked and disappointed by these allegations.
“Furthermore, our members are obviously concerned with the possible public perception and confidence of our Detachment and the RCMP following such news,” he says.
“I assure you this isn’t a reflection of our Detachment membership as a whole, and these allegations are against a single person.”
Burgess says they were unaware of an investigation into the officer’s alleged conduct until he was being processed in a neighboring detachment on Thursday morning.
Peacock is facing two counts of possession of child pornography, distributing child pornography, and accessing child pornography.
ICE unit members say while the investigation and charges are related to online offences, the nature of the suspect’s employment placed him in a position of trust and authority. Officials are asking anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact the police.