WHEN POLICE FACE TRIAL

Toronto and York police behaved with exemplary professionalism as
they swept in on two uniformed officers accused of criminal offences
in connection with a marijuana grow-op.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair seems to have made all the right
moves - launching an exhaustive probe into the allegations of
corruption and promptly going public with the findings.

Yet there remains, by the chief's own admission, one aspect of this
case that is likely to erode public confidence in our law enforcement
agencies at least as much as the original allegations of criminal
wrongdoing: their suspensions from the force will come with full pay.

Both officers were charged with participating in a criminal
organization. One of them was additionally charged with obstruction
of justice. They are, of course, innocent until proven guilty.

Blair made it clear that he is uncomfortable with the perception that
police who remain under a shadow must still remain on the public
payroll in the months, if not years, that they are awaiting trial.

After all, it took 10 long years for a massive probe into six Toronto
drug squad officers to wend its way through the system - including
four years from the time they were charged. The charges were stayed
last January due to excessive delays.

But Blair said his hands are tied by the Police Services Act, which
says officers facing charges may only be suspended with pay. "I have
asked that the law be changed, and the Association of Chiefs of
Police has also asked that the law be changed," Blair told reporters.

As satisfying as it might be to dock the salary of an accused
officer, what if he is subsequently found innocent? The way to
maintain public confidence, while protecting the rights of the
accused, is to move briskly to trial - and ensure the scandal of the
decade-long delays in bringing the drug squad officers to trial is
never repeated.