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Three Calgary police officers have been charged with criminal offences linked to allegations of sexual misconduct involving seven women, one of whom was allegedly photographed while partially naked and in custody.
“It is with disappointment and embarrassment that I am here today,” said Calgary Police Service Chief Katie McLellan at a press conference Thursday.
The charges relate to two separate, but connected, investigations carried out by CPS’s professional standards section with oversight by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.
Const. Adam McBride is accused of meeting six women in the course of his policing duties and “had or attempted to have personal and sexual contact” with them. One of the women was the complainant in an aggravated assault case, CPS confirmed at its press conference Thursday afternoon.
On and off-duty allegations
According to CPS, McBride’s alleged inappropriate encounters with women took place when he was both on and off duty between May 2023 and March 2025.
Although the initial investigation began in January due to “internal concerns,” CPS was not aware of the full scope of conduct until a complaint was filed in March, according to CPS general counsel Katherine Murphy.
McBride, who has been with the service for 14 years, faces four charges of breach of trust.
CPS says McBride was suspended without pay, then he resigned from the police service one day before the charges were announced.
Defence lawyer Cory Wilson declined to comment.
‘I anticipate I will have a strong defence’
Const. David Harms has been charged with two counts of breach of trust.
Police say Harms was aware of and “encouraged or facilitated” the alleged conduct of McBride.
Harms has 17 years of service with Calgary police. He has been relieved from duty without pay.
“I anticipate I will have a strong defence,” said Harms’ defence lawyer Alain Hepner.
Intimate image found
In the course of the investigation into McBride and Harms, CPS said it uncovered messages where a photo of a partially naked woman had been shared. The image was of a “vulnerable woman in custody,” said Murphy.
Const. Tyler Hobberstad has been charged with one count of breach of trust and one count of distributing intimate images without consent.
Hobberstad has been with CPS for six years. He has also been relieved from duty without pay.
Shamsher Kothari, who represents Hobberstad, said they have moved to request disclosure and “await receipt so we can take next steps.”
Chief takes cases ‘extremely seriously’
All of the men are due in court in early January.
Calgary police Chief Katie McLellan said that although the legal process will take time and limits what she can share publicly, CPS takes matters like these “extremely seriously.”
“This investigation reflects our commitment to thorough and transparent accountability,” she said in a written statement.
“We understand that serious allegations involving the conduct of serving members, even while off-duty, can significantly affect the public’s trust and confidence in us.”
