Calgary police officer charged with perjury, fabricating evidence following provincial watchdog investigation
ASIRT directed to look into officer regarding evidence provided by him in off-duty legal proceeding
A former Calgary police constable has been charged with perjury and fabricating evidence following an investigation into a family court case unrelated to his employment with the police service.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) — an organization that investigates incidents involving Alberta's police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, or serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct — was directed to investigate a Calgary Police Service (CPS) officer regarding evidence provided by him in an off-duty legal proceeding.
"The evidence gathered during ASIRT's investigation provided reasonable grounds to believe that an offence had been committed," reads a statement from the organization.
Joseph Barton was charged with perjury and fabricating evidence, offences pursuant to Sections 132 and 137 of the Criminal Code of Canada in relation to the incident.
He's scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on March 6.
With files from Meghan Grant