Nova Scotia's police watchdog says it has charged a Halifax police officer accused of stealing money out of a driver's wallet during a traffic stop in Dartmouth on Aug. 12.

The Serious Incident Response Team said in a news release Wednesday that Const. Anthony George Sparks with Halifax Regional Police has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000.

SIRT director Felix Cacchione said in an interview that the amount Sparks is alleged to have stolen is less than $500.

Halifax Regional Police said Sparks has been suspended with pay. He is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court for arraignment Oct. 9.