A high-ranking member of the RCMP has been charged with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.
The alleged incident happened 32 years ago near Carlyle, just a year after 54-year-old Ronald Makar joined the force.
He is now an inspector and the officer in charge of the RCMP Wood Buffalo detachment in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Makar was arrested without incident Tuesday morning at work.
He is facing two charges – one of sexual assault and the other of having sex with a female under the age of 14.
His girlfriend at the time of the alleged incident, 56-year-old Constance Hadiuk, has also been arrested.
Hadiuk was arrested at her place of employment in Kyle, Saskatchewan on April 10.
She is facing one count of indecent assault.
Details of the case were revealed Tuesday morning by Superintendent Alfredo Bangloy during a news conference at RCMP headquarters in Regina.
“The victim specified that she was sexually assaulted by an adult female and a serving member of the RCMP who were involved in a romantic relationship,” he says. “The victim was 12-years-old at the time of the alleged assaults.”
Makar and Hadiuk will make their first court appearances on the charges in Carlyle on June 4.
In the meantime, he is suspended with pay.
Makar has a long history with the RCMP in Saskatchewan serving at a number of detachments during his 34-year career including Carlyle, Kyle, Fon du Lac and Regina.
Superintendent Bangloy says the allegations are extremely disturbing.
“Allegations like these are disturbing when they are made against the general public. For a serving police officer to be facing charges like this is extremely disturbing. It is very difficult to be here today to speak with you about this.”
The alleged victim came forward in April of 2013.
She provided a detailed statement to police in December of last year which was then followed up by a lengthy investigation.
That investigation concluded Tuesday with the arrest of Makar.
Bangloy commends the victim for coming forward.
“As you can imagine, these types of situations are very difficult and very disturbing. I wish to commend the victim for coming forward in this difficult situation.”
RCMP say the alleged victim was known to Makar and Hadiuk but did not provide further details.