Jeremy Bast is accused of trying to solicit a person believed to be under 16 years old for a sexual offense he is currently suspended with pay ctv's Laura Brown reports it's a serious charge communicating with a minor for a sexual purpose which can mean a maximum sentence of 14 years minimum of a year it's what RCMP Corporal Jeremy bash has been charged with after an investigation by his own employer along with the civilian L serious inent response team who investigates criminal matters involving New Brunswick and Nova Scotia police officers the RCMP did contact us um but due to the specialized nature and the sensitivity of this particular file that required specialized services like the um internet child exploitation unit and digital forensics and and Tech crime elements of this file were providing an oversight role the alleged offense occurred at or near Shediac River in late April Corporal Bast was stationed with the Kodiak RCMP at the time but more recently he's been stationed in Canada's North our role is to ensure the integrity and transparency of the investigation direct things to ensure that um there's some accountability with the file Corporal bash appeared in court yesterday and was released on conditions he has been suspended with pay any criminal charge against a police officer we have to take more seriously than any criminal charge against a civilian because the police that's their job to uphold and enforce the law they cannot be seen to be above the law and criminologist Michael bu reminds suspension with pay is standard across the country I know that some Chiefs of police have lobbied for authority to suspend without pay but the problem with that it does send the message that the individual is we think the individual is guilty when they've not gone through with due process in a statement the RCMP said these types of Investigations are extremely challenging for victims these allegations have not been proven in court Laura Brown CTV News fredon well the report brought up the issue and we're asking you should federal employees including RCMP officers be paid while under suspension and your options are yes no or it depends on the suspension and you can vote on the poll and see more on Low's report at our website CTV newws atlantic.com