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The silhouette of an RCMP officer wearing traditional Mountie serge.MARK BLINCH/The Canadian Press

A child pornography investigation is under way against a Vancouver Island RCMP officer, but the force has already taken quick action to remove the man from its ranks.

Chief Superintendent Ray Bernoties said discharge documents were accepted from the unidentified officer within 24 hours of his arrest on Dec. 19.

An RCMP release says a preliminary report to Crown counsel has been heard by a justice of the peace and single counts of possession of child pornography and production of child pornography are recommended.

"This alleged behaviour is deplorable," Bernoties said. "The officer was immediately suspended and a Code of Conduct investigation was initiated."

The former officer has been ordered to return to Western Communities provincial court on Feb. 20.

The off-duty incidents are alleged to have occurred between Sept. 1 and Nov. 23, 2013, around the Victoria suburb of Colwood, where the man lives with his wife.

Charges have not yet been sworn, and Bernoties says the man is now a private citizen so will no longer be subject to discipline under the RCMP Act.

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