A Regina Police officer has been charged and suspended after a firearms investigation.

An investigation and consultation with Crown Prosecutors took place on Tuesday regarding an incident in 2022 at a provincial firearm amnesty period. The provincial firearm amnesty had the Saskatchewan government encourage residents to surrendered unwanted or replica firearms for destruction with no criminal penalties.

Instead of destroying a prohibited firearm during this period, Constable Sheldon Kowalchuk allegedly kept the firearm for himself. The officer was not licensed to have the firearm, nor did he register it with the proper authorities.

The investigation means Sheldon Kowalchuk is facing Breach of Trust charges and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm charges.

The 7-year Constable with the Regina Police Service was suspended from duty Tuesday morning. Kowalchuk will make his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on December 15.

The Regina Police Service Professional Standards Unit is leading this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Regina Police Service Professional Standards Unit at 306-777-6514.