Hanover police officer acquitted on sexual assault allegation

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Nov 03, 2022 11hours ago 2 minute read Bruce County courthouse on Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Walkerton. Photo by Scott Dunn /Postmedia Network Article content

Hanover Police Const. Ryan Cabral was acquitted this week in Walkertons Ontario Court of Justice on a charge of sexual assault for something alleged to have taken place in 2017.

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A breach of trust charge was withdrawn before the trial began Monday. Visiting Crown attorney Ian Bulmer requested a sexual exploitation charge to be stayed during the trial, which ended Tuesday.

Hanover Police Chief Chris Knoll said Thursday that Cabrals suspension will be lifted and hell be placed on administrative duties. The Hanover police officer is in his 40s and has worked for the Hanover service since the mid-2000s.

The Owen Sound Police Service will conduct an internal, parallel investigation, Knoll said, which he added is a Police Services Act requirement. I want it done as quickly as possible, Knoll said in an interview.

Defense lawyer Ben Jefferies said Thursday that the sexual assault charge against his client was alleged to have occurred while he was on duty.

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He said Cabral feels vindicated by the outcome of the trial and he wishes to resume active police duties with the Hanover Police Service.

I hope you can appreciate how challenging it is for anyone to face an allegation of this nature, Jefferies said. And I think I would describe Mr. Cabrals reaction as one of vindication. Its no small thing to have to have to sit in a courtroom and defend yourself.

The SIU is Ontarios independent civilian agency which automatically investigates police actions when it learns of allegations of police involvement in sexual assault, death, serious injury or shooting at a person.

It said in a news release that it began an investigation after it received a complaint Sept. 16, 2021. Cabral was charged this past February. He has been suspended with pay since the SIU investigation began.

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A Police Services Act investigation was suspended pending determination of the criminal charges. With the acquittal in court, there should be no need for further investigation, Jefferies said.

Given the judges findings with respect to the evidence that Mr. Cabral gave, its my view that it is appropriate that he be returned to work and that no police prosecution would be appropriate, Jefferies said.

Cabral and the complainant tested at the trial. Justice RW Rogerson gave oral reasons for acquitting Cabral.

I have to be careful with the publication ban obviously, Jefferies said but the judge found Mr. Cabral to be a credible witness. He accepted Mr. Cabrals denial of the allegation in question. And that was the principal basis for the acquittal.

Jefferies said he doubted the Crown would appeal given the way the trial unfolded. Efforts to reach Bulmer to confirm whether the Crown would appeal the acquittal were unsuccessful Thursday afternoon.

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