Former LPS officer elects trial by judge and jury

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on September 16, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A retired Lethbridge police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Lethbridge several years ago has elected to be tried by a Court of King’s Bench judge and jury.

Calgary lawyer Balfour Der entered the election on behalf of his client, William Kaye, during a brief hearing Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court. The matter was then adjourned for arraignment in Court of King’s Bench on Oct. 24.

Kaye, 63, is charged with breach of trust, sexual assault and criminal harassment, stemming from alleged offences between December 2017 and April 2018 while the accused was involved with the Domestic Violence Action Team.

Police reported they began an investigation after a woman came forward with several claims involving a former Lethbridge police officer.

The accused turned himself in to the RCMP in March and was arrested. He was released on conditions shortly afterward and scheduled for subsequent court hearings, which were initially adjourned for defence to receive disclosure.

Kaye resigned in February 2021 from his positions on the Domestic Violence Action Team and from the board of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre amid accusations of an unwanted sexual relationship. He retired as an inspector with the Lethbridge Police Service in 2014 after serving with the department for 35 years.

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