RNC officer charged with careless use of firearm following SIRT investigation

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Const. Bernard Morganhas been charged with careless use of a firearm following an investigation by Newfoundland and Labrador's police watchdog.

The alleged incident happened March 2 at RNC headquarters in St. John's.No one was injured, according to a news release issued by the province's serious-incident response team.

The incident was immediately reported by the RNC to SIRT-NL, according to director Mike King.

The oversight agency enlisted the RCMP to investigate, according to King's statement, while SIRT-NL provided oversight and review.

Morgan is set to appear in court Sept. 2. King said the agency will not comment while the case is before the courts.

According to the RNC, Morgan has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of the charge.

Officer also accused of excessive force

Morgan is also at the centre of another investigation by the force's public complaints commission, after a Paradise family accused him of wrongful arrest and excessive force.

During an encounteron Nov. 8, 2017, Morgan allegedlyhit Zackary Ball in the head and pepper-sprayed him. Police also broke a window in his home.

Ball was arrested, charged and detained, spending a night in lockup with his father.

An independent investigation later deemed Morgan's actions unlawful and recommended criminal charges. However, the Crown did not pursue them.

A public complaint submitted by the Balls resultedin a disciplinary hearing for Morgan and Const. Isabella Wagner, which ended in July.

The adjudicator was given three months to reach a verdict on those allegations.

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