Vancouver police say a high-profile officer who was arrested on Thursday allegedly defrauded 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.
“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.”
Rai said police began investigating Dosanjh in December 2023 after multiple alleged victims came forward.
He added that investigators believe there may be additional victims who have yet to speak to police.
According to court documents, some charges relate to alleged fraud and theft from investors of multiple property development projects, while others allege fraud and theft from the KidsPlay Youth Foundation, a charity that Dosanjh founded in 2015.
Sarabjit Singh Gill, who police described as a Dosanjh’s business partner, is listed as a co-defendant in charges related to property development.
Supt. Mike Ritchie, who led the 2½ -year covert investigation, said the province’s Civil Forfeiture Office has been engaged in a separate but parallel process for “quite some time.”
In a statement on Thursday, Dosanjh’s law firm Alliance Lawyers said, “Mr. Dosanjh has committed no crime and is innocent of any wrongdoing.”
None of the charges have been tested in court.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim can contact police at 604-717-2601.
