Privacy breach allegations against Regina police officer, now on leave

Regina's chief of police has placed one of his officers on leave while the department looks into an allegation concerning a woman's privacy and surveillance tapes from a shopping mall.

Chief Troy Hagen told reporters Tuesday that a senior officer is being looked at for a possible case of "discreditable conduct and neglect of duty".

Hagen would not identify the officer nor did he make any references to what led to the allegation.

However, CBC News has learned the matter stems from an anonymous fax sent by a woman using a facility in a shopping mall.

The woman, Andrea MacMurray, explained that her children swam with the Regina Dolphins Swim Club and she was concerned about financial reporting there. She decided to send a fax to the club's auditor.

A few weeks after doing so, she said she found out that despite her attempt to send the note anonymously a club official had seen video surveillance of her sending the fax.

"I was stunned my privacy was invaded," MacMurray told CBC News. "I felt invaded."

According to MacMurray, she learned from the shopping mall and a privacy commissioner that a police officer obtained the video.

The nature of MacMurray's concern with the swim club was not elaborated upon and the club issued a statement Tuesday saying its audited financial statements are available to members and the public. The club also made a point of saying it is not under investigation and never has been.

Hagen said he is reviewing the findings of an outside investigator concerning the alleged actions of his officer.