RPS civilian employee charged with violating privacy act by snooping in police database

RPS civilian employee charged with violating privacy act by snooping in police database

Katrina Caza facing 1 offence under Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

The Regina Police Service (RPS) has charged another of its employees with snooping in its internal database.

Katrina Caza, a civilian employee who has worked for RPS for four years, is charged with an offence under the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LAFOIP). It is not a criminal charge.

She the third person from RPS to be charged with improperly accessing internal databases, after officers Clinton Duquette and Robert Semenchuck.

In a news release Monday morning, RPS said an internal investigation launched this spring revealed that Caza improperly accessed its database on six occasions from 2023 to 2025.

The discovery was made after a random audit of employee database access, the release said.

"I think that this shows to me that our program is working, that we detected this through an audit," Regina police Chief Lorilee Davies said at a Monday news conference.

"I mean, that's what the public expects, that we're safeguarding their information and we're taking steps to do so. And when somebody does something that's across the line, we're going to hold them accountable."

Davies said Caza accessed the database twice in relation to media releases sent out by RPS and four times for information pertaining to someone she had a relationship with or, "family matters, I would say."

Caza remains employed, but does not have access to the RPS internal database while the matter is before the courts, Davies said.

The chief acknowledged that a string of snooping incidents by employees have come to light over the last year, but said she does not believe the actions of a few employees indicate a culture problem or should reflect poorly on the rest of RPS.

"I appreciate that sometimes people make mistakes. We're all human," Davies said.

"But everyone who works here knows what my level of expectation is when it comes to accessing our databases and that any further instances would be dealt with harshly."

The matter was sent to the Attorney General for consideration of criminal charges and charges under LAFOIP. Davies said a criminal charge was not recommended, but a charge under LAFIOP was approved.

The incident has also been reported to the privacy commissioner, she said.

"We hold public trust very highly. It's important to us," Davies said.

"I think that the fact that we are being transparent that this has happened and we're sharing that information with the public, the public should take solace in that."

Caza is set to make her first appearance at provincial court in Regina on Oct. 20.

If convicted, she could face a fine of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year.

Aliyah Marko-Omene is a reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. She has previously worked for CBC and Toronto Star in Toronto. You can reach her at aliyah.marko@cbc.ca.