Image: CFSEU-BC /

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Privacy breach

B.C. RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit to probe privacy breach; AbbyPD, CFSEU first aware in November

Dec 6, 2023 | 12:09 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Roughly three weeks after two police agencies in British Columbia announced they were probing an unauthorized privacy breach, B.C. RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit will take over the investigation.

The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) became aware of an unauthorized display of a sensitive law enforcement intelligence document on an on-line media site on Tuesday, November 14.

In a news release from the provincial government on Wednesday, Dec. 6, upon assessment on Nov. 22, 2023, the director of police services has authorized an independent investigation under section 44, part 8, of the Police Act into the alleged breach of police information.

“To ensure the independence of the investigation, the director of police services appointed B.C.’s RCMP Major Crimes Unit to investigate, with oversight by Saskatchewan RCMP,” the news release stated. “As this matter is under investigation, no further comment will be made.”

In a statement from Abbotsford Police Department Constable Art Stele on November 14, the information in the document was intended to be used as part of the overall response to the ongoing and violent British Columbia Gang Conflict (BCGC). The AbbyPD emphasized that the inclusion of individuals within this document did not necessarily indicate they were related to the BCGC or involved in any illegal activity.

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Constable Stele advised in a mid-November news release that AbbyPD, together with partner agencies, had identified how the information became compromised.

“Since becoming aware of the information breach, the AbbyPD together with partner agencies, have identified how the information became compromised, had the document removed from the on-line media site, and are actively connecting with those who may have been impacted by this release of information,” Cst. Stele wrote.

There is no information to indicate the privacy breach originated from within the AbbyPD. An investigation has been initiated by the RCMP, proactive notifications to the appropriate privacy and oversight commissions have been conducted, and an assessment of information dissemination practices are underway.