Province to review probe of 1997 allegations against officer Sean Chu, now a city councillor

The provincial government will launch a review to determine whether any further action needs to be taken against Coun. Sean Chu after a document from the Calgary Police Commission admitted "errors" were made during an investigation into allegations of sexual assault 25 years ago.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has instructed the deputy ministers of justice and public safety to go over the 1997 Calgary Police Commission's complaint file review "to determine whether any further action should be taken in light of the findings outlined in the document."

Earlier this year, a police commission review found policies were not followed and "errors" were made during an investigation into Chu's alleged sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl in 1997, when he was a 34-year-old Calgary police officer.

During a special meeting held on Tuesday, city council unanimously voted to send the police commission's review to the premier to see whether any further action should be taken.

"These allegations are serious and we do not take them lightly. Elected representatives at all levels need to conduct themselves in all matters with the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour," Smith said in a statement Wednesday.

LISTEN | Political scientist Lori Williams looks at what actions the province can take in its investigation of Coun. Sean Chu:

Chu was not criminally charged, but he was disciplined by the Calgary Police Service after being found guilty of discreditable conduct.

He has previously described the encounter at his home as "consensual touching." He has repeatedly said he did not know the teen was underage when he encountered her in 1997.

"The review by CPS — Calgary Police Service — concluded this past summer, made it clear that while errors were made in the process, quote, it does not appear that errors impacted the outcome of the case, unquote," Chu told council during Tuesday's meeting. 

"I was duly elected, as a councillor, to represent the people of Ward 4, and Calgarians expect us to work together. A statement of claim is not a finding of facts, and, as the name suggests, it is a claim that has not been proven."