A former civilian jail guard at the Piikani Nation RCMP detachment in Brocket is facing criminal charges of sexual assault and breach of trust after an alleged in-custody assault last week.

Charles G. Provost, 32, of Brocket, has been removed from his position as a Corps of Commissionaire guard at the detachment, following an investigation by the Southern Alberta RCMP general investigations section.

Police say the assault is alleged to have been committed in the early morning hours of Oct. 13 against a woman lodged inside a cell.

Charges were laid following the investigation, which included a review of cell block video surveillance.

Supt. Rick Jane, acting district officer for Southern Alberta RCMP, said in a statement that the force “takes all sexual assault incidents very seriously.”

“Once our officers were notified that this had happened, action was taken very quickly and a thorough investigation was completed,” he said.

“No matter what the circumstances are, anyone in the care of the RCMP must be protected and we will not tolerate a breach of trust.” 

RCMP have also ordered an operational review to see if any changes to policies and procedures should be made in light of the case.

Provost has been released from custody with conditions and is scheduled to appear Nov. 23 in the Alberta court of justice in Pincher Creek.