Sgt. Norm Flemming with the Merritt RCMP has been charged with assault, announced a press release from the BC Prosecution Service on Friday.

The charge stems from an incident at the Merritt RCMP detachment on May 15, 2017, the release went on to state. No further details were included in the press release regarding the incident in question as the case is now before the courts.

Flemming’s first appearance in court is scheduled for Dec. 5 in Merritt.

The charges were approved by an experienced Crown Counsel located in a different area of the province, according to the BC Prosecution Service.

Despite the allegations, Flemming remains on active duty, RCMP Const. and media liaison, Tracy Dunsmore confirmed to the Herald.

Merritt Staff Sgt. Sheila White told the Herald that the decision to implement disciplinary action is made by RCMP E-Division with her input as staff sergeant.

“Each incident is taken based on the circumstances of an investigation,” said White. “In this case a charge was laid against Sgt. Flemming and his operational status would have been reviewed at that time, and [it] was found that there was no need to suspend him or put him on administrative duties, so he is still operational.”

White said she could not comment on the case as it is before the courts, but isn’t concerned that it will reflect poorly on the Merritt detachment as a whole.

“I think anytime anyone is charged with a criminal offence the community will take notice. In this case it is a policeman. Am I concerned that this will be disreputable to the detachment? I’m not overly concerned about that. We’ve been trying very hard to work within the community [and] this is not a normal occurrence.”

Merritt Mayor Neil Menard told the Herald on Tuesday that he had yet to speak with Staff Sgt. White regarding the incident, and is reserving comment until he has the chance to find out what happened.

“He’s a human being. I don’t know the details,” said Menard. “I don’t know what the circumstances were, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Sheila to find out. It’s one of those things that happened and I need to find out.”