Former Brampton officer charged in relation to alleged sexual assaults

Published August 5, 2020 at 7:02 pm

Joseph Martino, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has grounds to believe a former officer with the previous Brampton Police Force (BPF) committed criminal offences between 1967

Joseph Martino, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has grounds to believe a former officer with the previous Brampton Police Force (BPF) committed criminal offences between 1967 and 1972.

As a result, Director Martino has caused charges to be laid against the former officer.  

According to the SIU, on November 28, 2019, they were made aware, through a civilian, of allegations against the former officer that were of a sexual nature.

The alleged incidents occurred in Brampton between 1967 to 1972 against a male youth when the former officer was a member of the BPF.

According to the SIU, in 1974, the BPF amalgamated with Peel Regional Police (PRP) and the then-officer became a PRP police officer before subsequently resigning from the police service.

As a result of the SIU investigation, Frank Kohler is facing charges under the Criminal Code including two counts of indecent assault, contrary to then section 148 and 156 and two counts of gross indecency, contrary to then section 149 and 157. 

Mr. Kohler is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice, according to the SIU.

The matter is now properly before the courts and the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation, in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation and depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid.

Additionally, they must report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General. 

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