A disciplinary tribunal has recommended the formal dismissal of a suspended detective from the Edmonton Police Service for leaking confidential investigative police files to CBC News. The tribunal’s final report, released on Tuesday, ordered the immediate termination of former EPS detective Daniel Behiels, who had admitted to three counts of misconduct during the hearing held in February 2025, almost four years after the files were leaked.
The tribunal determined that Behiels should be permanently removed from the force, citing his insubordination and breach of confidence in handling sensitive police documents. “Detective Behiels failed to meet the duties and standards expected of an experienced detective and must face disciplinary action to emphasize the seriousness of the misconduct and deter others,” wrote Fred Kamins, the presiding officer of the tribunal.
Behiels, an 11-year veteran of the EPS, had been leading a long-term investigation into Abdullah Shah, a well-known inner-city landlord, and his associates. Following the conclusion of the investigation without charges in January 2021, Behiels provided approximately 60 gigabytes of highly sensitive documents to a CBC Edmonton reporter, Janice Johnston, out of frustration. He later confessed his actions to then-police chief Dale McFee, leading to his suspension in February 2021.
Behiels alleged that senior EPS officials obstructed the investigation into Shah’s alleged criminal activities, claiming corruption within the police service’s higher ranks. However, subsequent investigations, including one conducted by the Calgary Police Service, found no evidence of wrongdoing within EPS.
Behiels argued that he had exhausted all internal channels before leaking the files, which he asserted were carefully reviewed to protect informants, citing the absence of a whistleblower policy at the time. Despite his claims of acting out of moral obligation and despair to expose alleged corruption, the tribunal rejected his argument that he was a whistleblower with noble intentions.
The tribunal found Behiels guilty of misconduct for disregarding direct orders by maintaining contact with the reporter while suspended and posting content on social media that violated the EPS’s social media policy. It noted a lack of genuine remorse from Behiels, who indicated he might make the same choice again if given the opportunity.
Behiels declined to comment on the tribunal’s decision when contacted by CBC News.