Calgary detective charged in alleged privacy breach

A 45-year-old Calgary police detective has been charged with unauthorized use of a computer and breach of trust.

Police spokesman Kevin Brookwell said a financial institution allegedly approached the officer to get contact information for about 10 people who owed the business money.

Theofficerthen allegedly accessed the police database between March 2010 and August 2011 and was given money for the supplying name, address and phone numbers.

"There was money that was involved, so he had some financial compensation for this information," Brookwell said.

"How much and if there's any other personal gain has yet to be determined."

Brookwell said protecting private information is extremely important to Calgary Police Services.

"Every member of our service when they start signs a confidentiality agreement,"he said.

"Every member of our service knows that accessing databases is for police use only. Every member knows that that's monitored and audited."

The Calgary police department isin the process of notifying those whose information wasallegedly accessed illegally.

Gerard Brand, a 21-year veteran of the Calgary police, has been relieved from duty with pay.