An Alberta Sheriffs peace officer will not face criminal charges for using artificial intelligence to produce unauthorized intimate images of women, including colleagues. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) described the officer’s actions as severe and acknowledged the lasting impact on the affected female co-workers’ sense of workplace security.
The investigation was initiated after a family member discovered AI-generated photos of women on the officer’s phone earlier this year, leading the employer to intervene. The officer confessed to utilizing an AI application to create sexualized images of the women, reportedly sourcing non-intimate photos from social media.
Although there was no evidence of the officer attempting to distribute the altered images, ASIRT determined that no offense had been committed under the previous legislation. The report highlighted that the officer’s actions did not violate the law due to the enactment of new regulations regarding intimate AI-generated images subsequent to the discovery of the photos.
The report clarified that since the matter did not constitute a criminal offense and fell outside ASIRT’s jurisdiction, the officer’s behavior was more appropriately addressed by the Alberta Sheriffs in accordance with their code of conduct. The Ministry of Public Safety, overseeing the sheriffs, confirmed that the officer has been suspended from active duty pending an internal inquiry.
Emphasizing the importance of accountability, integrity, and respect within the organization, Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional standards and workplace conduct. While declining to comment on the officer’s employment status during the ongoing internal investigation, the ministry stressed the significance of maintaining these core values throughout the organization.
The Alberta Sheriffs Branch, managed at the provincial level and employing peace officers in various capacities such as court and government security, conservation, and highway patrol, has assured its dedication to upholding these fundamental values. Despite the involvement of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, representing approximately 1,000 sheriffs, no comment was provided in response to inquiries by CBC News.