Top N.S. Mountie embarrassed by ‘disturbing’ sex assault allegations against RCMP officer

The Nova Scotia RCMP commanding officer says the multiple sexual assault charges against a constable are ‘extremely disturbing.’

Nova Scotia’s top Mountie says it’s both “disturbing” and “embarrassing” that one of his RCMP officers is facing nine charges – including seven counts of sexual assault.

“I want to reassure Nova Scotians that we treat this extremely seriously,” says Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, commanding officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP.

“We have robust internal processes to address this behaviour.”

Const. William McNutt joined the RCMP in 2021. He is facing a total of nine charges in connection with four investigations involving three women.

None of the allegations against the 40-year-old man have been proven in court.

Two of the cases against McNutt were due in Shubenacadie provincial court Thursday. His lawyer appeared on his behalf by phone. Both cases were adjourned until July 24.

Suspended without pay

Daley says McNutt was suspended from duty with pay in 2024. He is currently suspended from duty without pay.

“Once it was determined the number of serious allegations against Const. MacNutt, we went forward with our internal processes to suspend him without pay, so that is a mechanism that is not used frequently, but it’s reserved for our most serious cases,” explains Daley.

“We will deal with his employment once the criminal charges are dealt with, or he decides to resign prior.”

Daley says the RCMP will conduct its own internal investigation to determine whether McNutt should continue to be employed with the force, and that the outcome of the court cases won’t necessarily determine the RCMP’s decision.

“Certainly, having a criminal conviction would strengthen our internal process, however, I want to reiterate to Nova Scotians that we don’t necessarily rely on the criminal court to determine employability,” explains Daley.

“It’s a totally separate administrative process where we look at suitability. Is this person the best fit for the RCMP?”

Meanwhile, Daley is urging anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, or anyone who is concerned about the actions of a police officer, to reach out to the RCMP.

“It is important that Nova Scotians, if there is a police officer, whether it be an RCMP officer or not, that is not behaving in a proper, I encourage survivors to come forward,” he says. “They can certainly call me direct, call the Serious Incident Response Team direct, and they will get action.”

The allegations and charges

McNutt is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on July 31, 2019 – before he was an RCMP officer. Cumberland County RCMP launched an investigation in July 2024, arrested McNutt on Nov. 29, 2024, and charged him with two counts of sexual assault.

McNutt is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman between Dec. 31, 2022 and Feb. 12, 2023, while he was off-duty. The RCMP contacted the Serious Incident Response Team on July 11, 2024. SiRT charged McNutt with the following offences on July 11, 2024:

• three counts of sexual assault
• one count of overcoming resistance to commission of an offence
• one count of uttering threats

On Nov. 7, 2024, SiRT learned McNutt had allegedly assaulted a woman he knew on May 30, 2024. It charged him with one count of sexual assault on June 23.

The latest charge against McNutt was laid this week. SiRT alleges McNutt assaulted a woman he knew in January 2023. SiRT learned of the allegation in March and charged him with one count of sexual assault on Monday.

SiRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. SiRT was not involved in the investigation dating back to July 2019 because McNutt was not an RCMP officer at the time.

The identities of the three complainants are protected by a publication ban.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Callum Smith

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