Calgary Police have charged a Calgary 911 police call taker, after a year-long investigation into alleged sharing of information for organized crime purposes.
Mariana Buonincontri, 58 of Calgary, was charged by police after allegedly searching for and collecting information on individuals connected to organized crime, and then providing that information to other individuals connected to organized crime.
Police alleged that Buonincontri used her trusted position in the 911 service to access that information.
“This level of breach of trust impacts all of us in public service, our officers, the public and the people we engage with every day whose private information is closely guarded,” said Inspector Shawn Wallace, Calgary Police Service Professional Standards Section.
“We take allegations such as this very seriously and are thankful to our partners at Calgary 9-1-1 for their swift response and cooperation throughout this investigation.”
The investigation into the data breaches began in December of 2022 after an unrelated Calgary Police Service investigation revealed that protected information had been released.
“On Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, a woman was arrested, interviewed and released without charge pending further investigation,” said CPS in a statement provided to the media.
“No other employees of Calgary 9-1-1 are believed to have known or have been involved with this activity.”
Investigators obtained search warrants for her electronic devices, and throughout 2023 the CPS Digital Forensics Team worked to retrieve more than 200 images that contained sensitive personal information.
Buonincontri has been charged with breach of trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code, fraudulently use or cause to be used directly or indirectly a computer system with intent to obtain, directly or indirectly a computer services contrary to section 342.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, wilfully commit mischief in relation to computer data, contrary to section 430(5) of the Criminal Code.
Her next court appearance is set for March 7, 2024.
