Regina officer charged after using police databases to pursue intimate and personal relationships

A Regina police officer is facing criminal charges after allegedly accessing police databases and using information to pursue personal and intimate relationships with multiple women.

Sergeant Robert Eric Semenchuck, who has worked for the Regina Police Service (RPS) for 22 years, was charged on Tuesday with one count each of breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computer. He is set to make his first appearance in Regina provincial court on April 22.

Police Chief Farooq Sheikh said Thursday that Semenchuck's alleged actions are disturbing, but that Semenchuck is believed to have acted alone.

"The actions of this individual are not reflective of the values of our police service," said Sheikh, at a news conference Thursday.

Semenchuk was suspended with pay, as required under the province's Police Act. The officer's access to police databases was revoked, as was his ability to come to RPS headquarters.

Investigators believe the sergeant's conduct goes back several years, Sheikh said. It's not clear how many people Semenchuk may have contacted. Sheikh said police issued a photo of Semenchuk because investigators believe there may be more victims.

"Some of the affected people or witnesses out there may not know him by his name, but they may recognise him by his face," said Sheikh.

Sheikh said Semenchuk, who worked in a variety of positions over his 22-year long career, may have made contact with his alleged victims after responding to call for service. However, the majority may not have known him, Sheikh said.

The police chief said the investigation is still ongoing and urged anyone with more information to contact the RPS professional standards unit at 306-777-6514. 

Sheikh repeatedly said he could not offer more details on the case, but said it's likely more information will emerge as the case plays out in court.

Allegations were first brought to the service's attention in early 2023. Sheikh said the two years it took for charges to be laid were "out of the police control."

"I don't want the case thrown out because we've said too much," Sheikh said.

RPS have instituted new policies to ensure this doesn't happen again, Sheikh said. They include an auditing process, additional training that enforces this behaviour is unacceptable and a message that reminds anyone accessing the database that it should be for investigative purposes.

Sheikh said he plans to look closely at Semenchuk's continued employment with the RPS. 

"I will sit down with my senior leadership team and my legal team to decide on what's the most appropriate sanctions moving forward that we can deal with or we can impose," Sheikh said.