An RCMP officer has pleaded guilty to sexual assault, and been disciplined by the force, after groping a co-worker in Whitehorse earlier this year.

Const. Stephen Knaack — then a corporal — was on duty and in uniform when the incident happened on Jan. 4. According to an agreed statement of facts filed in Yukon Territorial Court, he had exchanged holiday greetings with a public service employee of the RCMP while visiting her workplace during the workday.

The document describes how Knaack reached down to the woman as she was seated at her desk, to give her a hug.