An Alberta Sheriffs peace officer will not face criminal charges for utilizing artificial intelligence to produce unauthorized intimate images of women, including colleagues. ASIRT, Alberta’s police watchdog, highlighted the severity of the officer’s actions in a report released on Wednesday, emphasizing the lasting impact on the affected female co-workers’ sense of workplace safety.
The investigation was initiated earlier this year after AI-generated images of women were discovered on the officer’s phone by a family member, leading to the employer’s involvement. The officer confessed to using an AI application to create sexualized images of women, reportedly sourcing non-intimate photos from social media for this purpose. However, there is no evidence indicating any intention to share the altered images.
ASIRT noted that following the discovery of the photos and the commencement of the investigation, new laws concerning intimate AI-generated images came into effect. Under the previous legislation, the officer’s actions did not constitute an offense. The Police Review Commission’s spokesperson, Jason van Rassel, clarified that the inclusion of this legal information in the report was to demonstrate awareness of the legal changes and provide due consideration, emphasizing that it was not meant to suggest potential charges under the current law.
Since the officer’s conduct did not constitute a criminal offense and fell outside ASIRT’s mandate, which solely covers criminal matters, the matter was deemed best addressed by the Alberta Sheriffs according to their code of conduct. The officer has been relieved of active duty pending an internal investigation by Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety, which oversees the sheriffs. The Ministry emphasized its commitment to upholding values of accountability, integrity, and respect within the organization.
As the internal investigation is ongoing, details such as the officer’s employment status and payment arrangements were not disclosed by the spokesperson. The Alberta Sheriffs, a provincially administered service that employs peace officers across various sectors, including court security, wildlife conservation, and highway patrol, have not provided further comments. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, representing approximately 1,000 sheriffs, declined to offer a statement when approached by CBC News.