Surrey RCMP officer arrested after Creep Catchers sting has court date

An RCMP officer who allegedly showed up for a meeting with a personposing as a 14-year-old girl has a scheduled court date even though he hasn't been charged.

The officer, who has not been named, was arrested by police Sept. 9, on allegations including child luring and sexual exploitation.He was released from custody under conditions including staying away fromchildrenunder the age of 16 with the expectation he will appear in court Oct. 19.

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Dan McLaughlin, spokesman for the Criminal Justice Branch, said the Crown has not decided whether to lay charges. However, Surrey RCMPexercised their right to request conditions be placed on the officer in the interim.

"It's not the common way these matters usually proceed," said McLaughlin.

"It sometimes happens that the police determine that in the interest of preservation of evidence or in the interest of public safety, that a personwill be arrested and conditions imposed in order to preserve the status quo."

"We still have to go through our process of reviewing the materials to determine whether the investigation meets the charge assessment standards."

Acting RCMP commanding officerBrenda Butterworth-Carrtold reporters last week the officer has been removed from duty andsuspended.

With files from Maryse Zeidler and Yvette Brend