SURREY, B.C. — An RCMP investigation spanning British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan has resulted in allegations that a former Mountie sexually assaulted eight boys in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
Police say Alan Davidson, 58, was arrested Thursday in Calgary and charged with eight counts of indecent assault.
RCMP Supt. Brendan Fitzpatrick told reporters Friday in Metro Vancouver that the alleged assaults happened in Clearwater, B.C., when Davidson was a coach but before he joined the Mounties.
“At this time we have no information and are unaware of any alleged offences that may have occurred during his service as a police officer.”
Fitzpatrick said investigators have searched dozens of minors sports rosters in three different provinces to identify other possible victims.
Police say the allegations came to light when a man came forward in November 2012, saying he had been sexually assaulted by his minor hockey coach in the early 1980s.
The man told police it was possible that other players on the team had also been assaulted.
“Once we became aware of the allegations, our investigators immediately began a parallel review of Davidson’s service and time with the RCMP from application through to retirement,” Fitzpatrick said.
The investigation spanned 30 years and eight alleged victims have come forward, he said.
Most of the alleged victims played either hockey or baseball and were coached by Davidson, RCMP said.
He began training as a Mountie in Regina in 1981 and worked in detachments in Saskatchewan and Lloydminster, Alberta, from February 1982 until he retired in August 1996 to pursue other business ventures in Alberta, Fitzpatrick said.
He appealed to any other potential victims to call police.