No Criminal Charges for Annapolis Royal Officers Investigated Over Murder Conspiracy and Extortion Allegations
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no grounds to lay criminal charges against two Annapolis Royal police officers investigated for alleged conspiracy to commit murder and extortion. While SiRT concluded there was insufficient evidence of a shared intention to harm or an existing recording, it identified concerning conduct and interpersonal conflicts which were reported to the provincial justice minister.
An independent police watchdog has concluded there are no grounds to lay criminal charges against two Annapolis Royal police officers who were investigated over allegations they conspired to murder a person known to police and that one officer later extorted the other.
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) took over the investigation in the public interest because of the seriousness of the allegations. The agency determined there was no immediate risk to public safety. The officers are not identified in the report and are referred to as Subject Officer 1 and Subject Officer 2.
SiRT received a referral on May 15 from the chief of the Bridgewater Police Service, who had been contacted by a member of the Annapolis Royal Police Service and a member of the Annapolis Royal Board of Police Commissioners. A police occurrence report alleged the two members of the Annapolis Royal service had conspired to commit murder and that one had extorted the other.
The investigation examined a May 2025 conversation. Subject Officer 2 told investigators that Subject Officer 1 had arranged a meeting at his home and raised the idea of having the person “dealt with.” According to the report, Subject Officer 2 acknowledged asking that their cellphones be put away and asking whether Subject Officer 1 wanted the person warned, roughed up or to suffer broken bones. Subject Officer 2 denied intending to harm the person and told investigators he continued the conversation to determine whether Subject Officer 1 was serious.
Subject Officer 1 did not provide notes or reports or participate in an interview with SiRT. Three other Annapolis Royal police officers told investigators that Subject Officer 1 had given them a different account, saying Subject Officer 2 requested the meeting and that he participated only to gather evidence that Subject Officer 2 was a corrupt police officer. None of the three corroborating officers had firsthand knowledge of the conversation.
SiRT concluded there was insufficient evidence that the two officers had agreed and intended to harm the person. The agency said there was no evidence the two officers developed a plan to harm the person or took further steps together.
The second allegation arose in May 2026, when Subject Officer 1 alleged the other officer threatened to release a recording of their earlier conversation unless he complied with a request concerning a workplace matter. Subject Officer 2 acknowledged becoming upset and swearing at the other officer during a discussion about a work matter but denied the extortion allegation. SiRT attempted to locate the recording but found no evidence confirming its existence, ultimately finding insufficient evidence to support the extortion allegation.
Despite finding no reasonable grounds to believe either officer committed a criminal offence, SiRT said its investigation identified “concerning conduct” as well as issues involving interpersonal conflict and best practices. Those concerns were shared with the provincial justice minister.
Annapolis Royal police Chief Elizabeth Montgomery said she has reviewed the report and respects its findings. Montgomery declined to provide information on whether the two officers remain employed by or working with the Annapolis Royal Police Service.