EDMONTON – Edmonton police are being criticized after the identity of a 16-year-old girl wanted on an outstanding criminal warrant was accidentally posted on a police website and released to the media.
The release was part of a campaign to get people wanted for a variety of offences to turn themselves in.
Anyone facing a warrant had until Monday to surrender before their name and a photo were posted on the website and released to media outlets.
People under the age of 18 who are facing a charge are protected by law from having their identities published.
Laurie Trahan, a lawyer with the Youth Criminal Defence Office, says revealing the girl’s identity without a judge’s permission is completely unacceptable.
Police say they have removed the picture of the girl from their website.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the EPS says they regretted the incident, saying it should not have occurred. The EPS has forwarded the matter to the Director of Law Enforcement.
Chief Rod Knecht issued his own statement late Tuesday.
““On Monday, April 2, 2012, the Edmonton Police Service released without authority, the name and photograph of a 16 year old, contrary to Section 110 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This was absolutely unacceptable for the Edmonton Police Service, and for this we sincerely apologize to the youth, the family and Edmontonians. This matter requires a full, immediate and transparent investigation. To this end, the Edmonton Police Service is turning the investigation, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, over to the RCMP. Further, we welcome an investigation by Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner.”
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