A Calgary police constable has been charged with three counts of perjury after an investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team into family court proceedings.
It’s alleged the officer, on three different dates, provided false testimony and affirmed two false affadavits in family court, during proceedings between him and a former domestic partner.
“ASIRT conducted a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the police watchdog said.
“The complete investigative file was forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) for an opinion. ASIRT executive director Susan D. Hughson, Q.C., having carefully reviewed the complete investigative file and the Crown opinion, has determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe offences were committed and that the officer should be charged.”
Const. Joseph Barton was arrested on Thursday and charged with three counts of perjury, ASIRT said.
A CPS spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Barton “has been relieved from duty with pay pending review.”
“He has been with the service for six-and-a-half years and was most recently working in an administrative position,” the CPS said.
ASIRT investigates incidents involving Alberta police that result in serious injury or death, or relate to serious or sensitive allegations of misconduct.