CALGARY - The office of the privacy commissioner says the Calgary Police Service was wrong to tap into a civilian employee's email and use some damning photos to get her fired.

The office says the police service was in violation of the Protection of Privacy Act.

Several co-workers had made complaints about the woman's behaviour at work, including allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

A workplace investigation began and a technical security manager came across the woman's log-in information and used it.

Photos of a sexual nature were found that had been taken at work and were used in a decision to fire the woman.

An adjudicator has ruled the photos shouldn't have been used as part of the investigation because they were found in an unauthorized search.