FORMER OFFICER FILES $4M LAWSUIT

Claims She Was Forced From Job In Sudbury After She Was Drugged And Raped
By A Drug Dealer Associated With Hells Angels

A multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Sudbury's police service promises to
reveal dubious aspects of police operations and provide a glimpse into the
brutal world of outlaw biker gangs.

The $4-million lawsuit has been filed by Rachel Poff, a former Sudbury
Regional Police constable, who claims she was forced from her job last year
after she was drugged and raped by a drug dealer associated with the
notorious Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

The lawsuit alleges that police Chief Alex McCauley played a central role
in forcing Poff from the police service. McCauley and three police officers
- - Insp. Dan Markiewich and officers Dennis Brisson and Sheila Webber - as
well as the local police services board are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Lawyers for Poff filed a statement of claim in a Toronto court in December.
Allegations made in the statement of claim have not been proved or judged
by a civil court. In fact, the Sudbury police department has yet to file
its statement of defence with the court.

Greater Sudbury Police spokeswoman Sgt. Loretta Ronchin said any comments
about the lawsuit must come from McCauley, who has been on vacation
overseas and unavailable for comment.

Poff's dramatic allegations include claims that McCauley blamed her for the
rape by a Hells Angels drug dealer and wanted to get rid of her because the
incident threatened to be embarrassing and damaging to the Sudbury police
force.

Poff also claims the "harsh reprisals" to which she was subjected "contrast
starkly with the treatment of male Sudbury police officers who have
previously been caught having consensual sex with confidential informants."

These male officers, Poff claims, "have faced lenient sanctions and
subsequently been promoted."

Poff was hired by Sudbury Regional Police in August, 1996 and in March,
1998, was assigned to the department's drug enforcement unit. During her
two years in the drug unit, Poff was involved in investigations of the
biker-controlled drug trade and "was a valued and successful police officer
with the Sudbury Regional Police," according to her statement of claim.

"Ms. Poff was so successful in investigating, apprehending and prosecuting
drug dealers in her work as a member of the drug enforcement unit that, in
about early 2000, she received a tacit threat from ... a member of the
Satan's Choice motorcycle gang," the claim states.

The fact that a motorcycle gang member showed up at Poff's home was
"understood by the police, including each and all the individual
defendants, as a threat against Ms. Poff."

The claim states that Poff's immediate supervisors wanted a member of a
provincial police task force on outlaw bikers to come to Sudbury to
confront the biker "to ensure that no further threats would be made against
Ms. Poff."

However, the claim alleges, "McCauley, alone or in consultation with other
police officers ... decided not to intervene directly because he did not
want to send a message to (outlaw bikers) that the Sudbury Regional Police
Service was intimidated."