An employee of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has been charged with snooping in personal information files.

In a news release Friday, the Information and Privacy Commissioner said the investigation began after a complaint from a member of the public.

Donovan Molloy said he was told about the privacy breaches by the RNC after they were discovered.

The woman charged is a civilian employee of the police force and faces three counts under the Access to Information and Privacy Act. She has been suspended without pay.

The breaches are alleged to have happened in September and early October 2016.

A court appearance is set for June 19 at provincial court in St. John's.

Molloy said citizens who provide information to a public agency are entitled to have that information respected and kept private.

Statement from police chief

The Chief of the RNC, William Janes, said the complaint was received in October of 2016.

"I want to ensure the public that the RNC takes any breach of privacy by one of our employees very seriously," he wrote in a statement.

Janes said employees take an oath of confidentiality and regular audits are conducted to make sure standards are enforced.