Statement from Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, in response to RCMP member charged with Sexual Assault

In March 2025, the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) began investigating an alleged sexual assault involving Cst. William McNutt.

As a result of SiRT’s independent investigation, Cst. McNutt has been charged with Sexual Assault. He’s scheduled to appear in Shubenacadie Provincial Court on July 3.

In January 2024, the Nova Scotia RCMP suspended Cst. McNutt from his duties in relation to separate allegations. He’s currently suspended without pay.

As I said on June 23, the criminal charges against Cst. McNutt are extremely alarming and distressing, and this additional charge is even more so. My senior leadership team and I take all allegations of misconduct very seriously, and the Nova Scotia RCMP is continuing to cooperate fully with SiRT. An internal code of conduct process is also under way.

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News release issued by SiRT:

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an RCMP Officer in Nova Scotia committed a criminal offence.

In March 2025 SiRT became aware of an alleged sexual assault by an RCMP officer in January 2023. The female and the officer are known to each other. As a result of the investigation, on June 30, 2025, Constable William McNutt was charged with sexual assault contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code.

Constable McNutt will appear before the Nova Scotia Provincial Court at 5 Mill Village Road, Shubenacadie on July 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

As the matter is before the courts SiRT will not provide any further comment on the investigation.

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

Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

NOTE: Anyone who has been impacted by sexual assault should visit their local hospital or contact a Sexual Assault Centre for help and guidance. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For more information visit: Types of Support – BreakTheSilence or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Help is always available.

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Valley Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit seizes drugs during search warrant execution

July 3, 2025, Highbury, Nova Scotia… The Valley Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (VISCEU) seized cocaine and tobacco and arrested one person as part of a search warrant execution.

On June 27, the VISCEU attended a residence on Canaan Ave. in Highbury as part of an ongoing drug investigation. During the search, officers seized a quantity of cocaine, some of it appearing to be portioned and packaged for sale, as well as unstamped tobacco, cash, and other items associated to trafficking.

A man was safely arrested at the property and later released. He is scheduled for a first court appear at Kentville Provincial Court on September 9.

The lead unit for the ongoing investigation is VISCEU, with support from Kings District RCMP General Investigation Section, Kentville Police Service, and general duty officers from Kings County District RCMP for the search warrant execution.

Note: The Valley Integrated Street Crimes Enforcement Unit (VISCEU) is comprised of members of the Kings District RCMP and Kentville Police Service.

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UPDATE: Missing man located deceased 

July 3, 2025, Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia… The 40-year-old man who was reported missing from Sheet Harbour and last seen on May 25 has been located deceased.

 At this time, the death is not believed to be suspicious in nature. The investigation is ongoing. 

Our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones at this difficult time.

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