Vancouver police say a high-profile officer who was arrested on Thursday allegedly defrauded at least 19 victims of a total of about $3 million.
Kal Dosanjh, a 26-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the CEO of the KidsPlay Youth Foundation, is facing four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of theft over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust dating back to 2017.
At a Friday news conference, Vancouver police Chief Steve Rai said Dosanjh had been suspended, and that he had recommended to the Vancouver Police Board that the suspension be served without pay.
He added that investigators believe there may be additional victims who have yet to speak to police.
“These allegations are deeply troubling not only because of their seriousness, but because they have the potential to undermine the trust that our members work very hard, very hard to build and maintain with the public,” Rai said.
“This officer had a profile in the community and internally, and officers are angry and disappointed.”
Dosanjh was arrested in Surrey in what police described as a “controlled” traffic stop. He has been released on conditions and relieved of his service weapon, police said.
Rai said police began a large-scale, covert investigation in December 2023 after multiple alleged victims came forward.
He said that after consulting with the RCMP, it was “determined with collective judgment” that the VPD would head the investigation because it was best equipped with the expertise and resources to handle the file.
Police were seen taking items in boxes from Kal Dosanjh’s place of residence after his arrest Thursday afternoon. (CBC News)
Property developments targeted
According to court documents, multiple charges relate to alleged fraud and theft from investors in the Azura, Queen’s Park and Sahara development projects.
Sarabjit Singh Gill, who police described as Dosanjh’s business partner, is listed as a co-defendant in those charges.
“It began over a series of years until such a point that victims then started to question the veracity of those things,” said Supt. Mike Ritchie, who led the 2½ -year investigation. “We were not made aware internally until 2023.”
Dosanjh also faces two charges alleging fraud and theft from the KidsPlay Youth Foundation. Dosanjh founded the charity in 2015 with the stated aim of “keeping B.C. kids away from a life of crime.”
Ritchie confirmed police had searched KidsPlay’s offices.
Ritchie said the province’s Civil Forfeiture Office has been engaged in a separate but parallel process for “quite some time,” and added that police weren’t ruling out additional criminal charges.
Municipal election ripples
Dosanjh’s arrest has already had ripple effects in Surrey’s upcoming municipal election, where his wife was running for council.
On Friday, the Conservative Party of Surrey announced that Sandy Dosanjh was no longer one of its council candidates.
Sandy Dosanjh is not named or accused in any of the charges or allegations her husband is facing.
He has, however, participated in her campaign as a speaker and supported her campaign on social media.
Richmond City Coun. Kash Heed, a former West Vancouver police chief and B.C. solicitor general, said the move was not a surprise given the election was just weeks away.
“When you have something of this nature, your significant other under such a cloud, it’s going to be difficult to maintain the credibility and confidence of the public that are going to elect you to serve in office,” he said.
“Certainly it will override anything that she is positively able to add as the individual running for municipal government.”
In a statement on Thursday, Dosanjh’s law firm Alliance Lawyers said it was “inappropriate to draw conclusions” based on the reported arrest of their client.
“Mr. Dosanjh has committed no crime and is innocent of any wrongdoing,” the statement reads.
“An arrest, or a report that an arrest has occurred, is not evidence of guilt, misconduct, or criminal responsibility.”
None of the charges have been tested in court.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim can contact police at 604-717-2601.