3 Calgary officers who 'made the police available for sale' sentenced to jail in corruption case

Three Calgaryofficers who "made the police available for sale" have been sentenced to jail terms in a corruption case involving a woman who was stalked and harassed by them for months.

Bryan Morton, 35, Brad McNish, 61,and Anthony Braile, 50, were convicted last year of corruption-related crimes.

On Wednesday,Morton received a 30-month sentence andMcNishgot six months behind bars.Braile, who was given a significant reduction in his sentence for co-operating with police and prosecutors,will be allowed to serve his three-monthsentenceon weekends.

Sheriffs escorted Morton and McNishinto custody afterCourt of Queen's Bench Justice Bryan Mahoneyhanded down thesentences.

Crimes like these "violate the most basic trust between citizens and police," saidMahoneyin delivering his decision.

Mahoneysaid the officers' crimes "were not short-term schemes" and characterized the offences as"serious, persistent and bold."

• Money 'worth more than the oath they swore,' says victim of harassment by Calgary officers

The case centres around the breakup, hostile relationship and bitter custody battle between Akele Taylor and Ken Carter.

Carter, a wealthy businessman, then hired an unlicensed private investigation firm run by former police officer Steve Walton and his wife. The Waltons used the services of current and former Calgary police officers, including Morton, McNish and Braile.

For nearly two years, Akele Taylor was followed and harassed a GPS tracker was placed on her car and her friends were offered money in exchange for dirt on the single mother.

The surveillance was designed to intimidate Taylor, evoke a sense of powerlessness and highlightthe imbalance of power between the victim and Carter, said the judgein reading from his 38-page decision.

"When police sell their services for personal profit, the rule of law breaks down," said Mahoney.

"Mr. Morton made the police available for sale to Mr. Carter to help him win a custody dispute."

Whether their shifts weretwo hours or 12, the men were paid $1,000 per day.

The Waltons also paid the officers to search for information on internal CPS databases.

Taylor testified she felt paranoid, anxious and fearful, believing the police would not help her.

"This belief was reasonably held," said Mahoney, pointing out that marked police cars were sometimes used in the surveillance and Taylor witnessed Walton speaking with an officer whom she had called to her home.

Each of the defence lawyers Jim Lutz, Pat Fagan and Paul Brunnen proposed sentences that would involve their clients serving their time in the community.

Prosecutors Leah Boyd and Julie Snowdonargued Morton should spend four years in custody. They recommended three years for Braile and 18 months for McNish.

"The public puts significant trust in [officers], they have significant powers and authorities and so it's important they not breach that trust," said Snowdonoutside the courtroom after sentencing.

Braile and Morton were convicted of bribery, harassment and unauthorized use of a computer system. Morton also faced a guilty verdict on a charge of breach of trust.

McNish was found guilty of unauthorized use of a computer system and breach of trust.

Brailewas fired by CPS in 2016 for professional misconduct relatingto a 2008 high-speed chase. Morton andMcNishremain suspended without pay.

TheWaltonsand Ken Carter were also convicted of offences related to the harassment of Taylor andface a separate sentencing hearing, which was postponed pending Mahoney's decision andwill begin later this year.