SELF-DESCRIBED DRUG DEALER SUING POLICE FOR $110,000

EDMONTON - Det. Gerard Vercammen, a 28-year veteran of the Edmonton
Police Service now on trial for misusing his firearm, is one of six
people named in a $110,000 lawsuit launched last month.

Like Vercammen's ongoing criminal trial, the suit stems from a March
1, 2004, encounter in which Vercammen shot at Robert Archie Cormier
four times. Cormier was not injured in the shooting.

Cormier is suing for $100,000 in general damages and $10,000 in
special damages.

Cormier, 32, for whom there were a number of arrest warrants, had
sprayed bear repellent at Vercammen and three other officers.

He has said he did not realize he was dealing with officers who had
entered his home, at 128th Avenue and 126th Street, because they did
not present a warrant, and two of three were not wearing uniforms.

In a statement of claim filed Feb. 28, Cormier said he was "protecting
himself and his family."

The suit also names Det. James Elkow, Det. Bill Clark and Const. Mitch
Agar -- as having gone to Cormier's home with Vercammen in 2004.

Const. Doug Korek is also identified, and the statement of claim
charges he got a key to Cormier's residence from Cormier's landlord
under false pretenses.

Former police chief Fred Rayner is also named in the suit because "the
other defendants were under his direction and control."

Edmonton police spokesman Jeff Wuite said it would be irresponsible to
comment on the lawsuit before the court.

Twelve of 13 charges laid against Cormier, who has described himself
as a drug dealer in connection with the events of March 1, 2004, were
withdrawn by the Crown last year. He was sentenced to a single day in
jail on one count of robbery.

Cormier is being represented in the lawsuit by Edmonton lawyer Tom
Engel.