Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 28/99) - An 18-year member of the RCMP, formerly stationed in Yellowknife, has been charged with nine sex-related offences involving three Northern children.

Const. Mike Chauvin, was arrested near his home in Timmins, Ont. Sunday.

Chauvin was returned to Yellowknife Sunday night following a 10-day investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of Yellowknife. The officer was originally charged with two counts of sexual assault and two charges of sexual exploitation against children.

These charges stemmed from incidents that allegedly occured in Fort Smith and Yellowknife between the fall of 1989 and 1997.

Chauvin appeared before a justice of the peace Sunday evening and was arraigned on the four counts against him. Late Tuesday afternoon Chauvin was charged with five additional sex-related offences that included a third victim from Lutsel K'e. Additional charges may still be forthcoming.

"The investigation is still continuing and if there is anyone else that was victimized.... they should come forward," said Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy.

"We have an obligation, whether it was a policeman or someone from the general public, to protect society from any further crimes against children," Grundy said.

Chauvin's first placement in the NWT was in Rae/Edzo in December 1988. He worked in Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, and then Lutsel K'e before transferring to Yellowknife in Dec. 1994 where he remained working until June 1997.

Const. Chauvin, who has not been suspended from the RCMP, remains in police cells. Grundy said he was expected to appear before territorial court later this week.