Vancouver police reported that a prominent officer arrested on Thursday is alleged to have defrauded around 19 victims of approximately $3 million. Kal Dosanjh, a 26-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the CEO of the KidsPlay Youth Foundation, is facing charges including four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of theft over $5,000, and one count of breach of trust dating back to 2017.
During a news conference on Friday, Vancouver police Chief Steve Rai disclosed that Dosanjh has been suspended, and he recommended to the Vancouver Police Board that the suspension be unpaid. Rai expressed concern that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward and emphasized the potential impact on the trust between the police force and the public due to these serious allegations.
Dosanjh was apprehended in Surrey following a controlled traffic stop and has since been released under conditions, with his service weapon confiscated by the authorities. The police initiated a covert investigation in December 2023 after multiple alleged victims reported the incidents. The VPD took charge of the investigation in consultation with the RCMP, citing their expertise and resources.
The charges against Dosanjh and his business partner, Sarabjit Singh Gill, pertain to alleged fraud and theft from investors in various property development projects. Supt. Mike Ritchie, who led the investigation, stated that the offenses spanned several years before coming to light in 2023. Dosanjh also faces charges related to fraud and theft from the KidsPlay Youth Foundation, which he established in 2015 to support youth in British Columbia.
Dosanjh’s arrest has had repercussions on the upcoming municipal election in Surrey, where his wife was a council candidate. The Conservative Party of Surrey announced the removal of Sandy Dosanjh from their list of council candidates. Despite her husband’s legal issues, Sandy Dosanjh has not been implicated in any of the charges. Dosanjh’s law firm, Alliance Lawyers, released a statement asserting his innocence and urging against premature judgments based on the arrest reports.
With the charges yet to be tried in court, individuals who believe they have been affected are encouraged to reach out to the police for assistance.