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ASIRT investigating allegations involving former police chief Rick Hanson

ASIRT investigating allegations involving former police chief Rick Hanson

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating allegations of a conflict of interest involving Rick Hanson on the eve of his last day as Calgary's police chief.

According to media reports, Hanson made an order via email on March 13, deploying new officers to district five which falls within the Calgary-Cross riding.

The next day, Hanson was joined by then-PC leader Jim Prentice as he announced his intentions to run there in the next provincial election. The election was called on April 7.

A spokesperson for the Justice and Solicitor General ministry issued a written statement on behalf of ASIRT Friday calling the allegations "extremely sensitive."

"ASIRT has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deployment of Calgary Police Service Resources during the most recent provincial election and to determine whether those circumstances provide reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been committed," reads the statement.

According to the statement, ASIRT was notified by current police Chief Paul Cook and the Calgary Police Service of a "recent serious and sensitive allegation, requesting that an independent investigation be directed."

Cook released a statement Friday afternoon saying he referred the issue to ASIRT to ensure "public trust and confidence" in the police service.

"The CPS remains steadfast that the decision to allocate resources was proper and based on sound operational needs," he wrote. "The referral to ASIRT should not be taken in any way as an admission or suggestion that any member of the Calgary Police Service misconducted themselves, in any way."

Busiest district in the city

When questioned about Hanson's directive at a press conference Thursday, Supt. Kevan Stuart defended the deployment.

"District 5 is the second busiest district in the city and has been for many years," said Stuart, "I know the CPS needed officers in that area."

Despite its high crime rate, Stuart says district five is fourth in its number of officers.

"Chief Hanson has been in this organization for 40 years," said Stuart, "he has served this community for 40 years and he has served it very admirably with ethics and integrity and I'm not going to question that."