During the course of that investigation, evidence was obtained that reflected possible involvement in other matters that might warrant their own investigation. Pursuant to the provisions of the Police Act, ASIRT initiated investigations into the additional matters disclosed.

The evidence gathered during these investigations provided reasonable grounds to believe that an offence had been committed and, as is required by the Police Act, the investigation was forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) for an opinion on whether the evidence met the Crown standard for prosecution.

Having received and reviewed the Crown opinion, and having carefully examined the evidence obtained in the investigation, ASIRT executive director Susan Hughson, QC, made a determination that the officer should be charged.

With respect to the initial investigation, it is alleged that on June 29, 2019, an officer, while in uniform and on duty, attended the residence of a 24-year-old woman who he had earlier encountered during a call for service, and a sexual assault occurred.

Considerable trust is placed in police officers who often encounter individuals in times of crisis or vulnerability. During the course of the earlier investigation, evidence was obtained that supported the belief that, over a period from approximately March 2017 to June 2019, while acting in connection with his duties as a police officer, the same officer engaged in a pattern of behaviour involving his on-duty contact with women that breached the standard of responsibility and conduct required as a police officer, and that the officer used his position for a purpose other than the public good, thereby committing a breach of trust.

Lastly, additional evidence was obtained that provided reasonable grounds to believe that between approximately September 2018 and July 2019, the same officer accessed secure databases for names and addresses of individuals for personal reasons unrelated to his duties as a police officer, thereby committing the offences of unauthorized use of a computer and breach of trust.

On Dec. 8, Const. Hunter Robinz was arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault contrary to Section 271 of the Criminal Code, one count of unauthorized use of a computer database, contrary to Sec. 342.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code and two separate counts of breach of trust, contrary to Sec. 122 of the Criminal Code.

Const. Robinz was released on an undertaking with conditions to appear in Provincial Court in Edmonton on Jan. 25, 2022.

Questions regarding the officer’s duty status should be directed to the Edmonton Police Service.

As this matter is now before the courts, no further information will be released.

ASIRT

This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.