HANOVER – An officer with the Hanover Police Service has been charged by the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) following a sexual assault investigation.
The SIU received a complaint on Sept. 16, 2021 of an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Hanover in 2017. The SIU launched an investigation, announcing the charges in a Feb. 3 media release.
The SIU identified the accused officer as Constable Ryan Cabral. Cabral is charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual exploitation, and one count of breach of trust by an official contrary to sections 271, 153, and 122 of the Criminal Code, respectively.
Cabral is scheduled to appear in Walkerton court on March 9.
“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” states the SIU release.
According to a separate release issued by Hanover Police Chief Christopher Knoll, Cabral was suspended during the course of the investigation and remains suspended with pay in accordance with the Police Services Act of Ontario.
Knoll also stated the Hanover Police Service would be making no further comments on this case as it is before the courts and is a SIU investigation.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
All results of investigations by the SIU must be publicly reported in accordance with the Special Investigations Unit Act.
