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VANCOUVER — A high-profile former police officer who acted as the RCMP’s chief spokesman in British Columbia has been charged with sexual assault in a case the province’s top Mountie describes as “disturbing.”

Former inspector Tim Shields faces a single count of sexual assault stemming from a police investigation into allegations of misconduct during his time as an RCMP officer.

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The sexual misconduct is alleged to have occurred at RCMP headquarters in Vancouver between 2009 and 2010 and involved a civilian employee who worked at the time with the communications unit headed by Shields, said a statement from the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch.

The allegation has not been tested in court.

Shields’ lawyer, David Butcher, offered a comment on behalf of his client, saying he is devastated by the charge and “absolutely denies” the allegations.

“Mr. Shields has successfully passed a polygraph test taken by a reputable examiner who retired after a long career with the RCMP and who continues to conduct polygraph examinations for the force,” Butcher said in an interview.