Const. Ovidiu Haynes, an RCMP officer in Valleyview, Alberta, has been charged with assault with a weapon under section 267(a) of the Criminal Code. The charge follows a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), the province's civilian-led police watchdog, into an incident that occurred on Nov. 10, 2023.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Haynes was arrested on Wednesday and has since been released with conditions. He is scheduled to appear in Valleyview Court of Justice on Aug. 6, 2025. The charge of assault with a weapon carries potential penalties including imprisonment, though the specific circumstances of the alleged offence have not been disclosed.
Investigation Timeline
ASIRT was directed to investigate the matter on Nov. 22, 2023, less than two weeks after the incident. Following a thorough investigation, ASIRT determined there were reasonable grounds to believe an offence had been committed. The file was then forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service for review, where Crown prosecutors examined the evidence and concluded that the matter met the standards for prosecution.
After reviewing the investigation and receiving the Crown's opinion, ASIRT acting executive director Matthew Block decided to lay the charge under authority delegated by the CEO of the Police Review Commission. Block stated that no further information will be released while the matter is before the courts, to protect the integrity of the legal process.
Role of ASIRT
ASIRT investigates potential criminal offences involving police officers across Alberta, including cases where police actions may have resulted in serious injury or death. The agency operates independently of the police to ensure accountability and transparency. In this case, ASIRT directed questions about Const. Haynes's employment status to the RCMP. Postmedia has asked the Mounties for clarification on whether Haynes remains on active duty or has been suspended.
This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct in Alberta and the role of civilian oversight in addressing allegations of misconduct. The charge of assault with a weapon is a serious criminal offence, and the court proceedings will determine the outcome.
