Wade Chitrena's case was discussed on Wednesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

warrant issued

Former Sask. Mountie, convicted of breach of trust, now accused of voyeurism and accessing child porn

Nov 6, 2024 | 5:00 PM

A former Saskatchewan RCMP officer, who just over three years ago received a conditional discharge for accessing a sensitive image of an adult female inmate, is facing new charges related to voyeurism and child pornography.

Wade Chitrena was not present when his case was discussed Wednesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

Rather his lawyer informed the court she had not been in contact with him for quite some time. She cited a letter sent to him on Oct. 25, warning if he failed to contact her by Oct. 31, she would withdraw her services.

Judge Steve Schiefner issued a bench warrant for Chitrena’s arrest.

According to court documents, the offences involve a single victim and occurred in August 2023. The four charges were laid in March of this year. A publication ban prohibits any information that could identify the victim, which in this case includes the location of the offences.

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Chitrena’s prior conviction dates back to June 2021 when he pleaded guilty to breach of trust by a public officer.

The offence occurred in 2018, and involved a woman arrested and placed in the detachment’s cellblock. While in custody, the woman removed her clothes with the exception of her underwear. Roughly two months later, members of the Dillon detachment discovered a number of papers on the printer which included a printed image taken from the surveillance camera footage of the topless woman.

Further investigation revealed Chitrena, who was an acting corporal at the time, was the only member who could have accessed the photo. It was also revealed there had been no need for anyone to access the surveillance camera footage as there was no investigation into the woman’s charges.

Chitrena later admitted to his actions.

“He said he had a porn addiction and a number of other stresses in his life,” Crown prosecutor Bill Burge said at the sentencing hearing.

When arguing why a conditional discharge was appropriate, defence lawyer Brad Mitchell described the incident as “isolated” and further noted the image had been solely for private purposes. There was no indication others were urged to look at it, he said.

Following the charge in November 2018, Chitrena was on suspension with pay and ceased to be an RCMP officer as of November 2020.

Chitrena’s probationary conditions included treatment and counselling, and the completion of 45 hours of community service.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell