CONSTABLE ACCUSED OF 'REMOVING' CRACK COCAINE

Officer Charged Under Police Services Act

An Ottawa police officer has been charged under the Ontario Police Services
Act in connection with the removal of crack cocaine while he was on duty.

Since the officer has not been charged criminally, police do not have to
release his identity, said Chief Vince Bevan.

However, the officer has been independently identified as Const. Kevin
Hall, a west division neighbourhood officer.

"They are not criminal charges, these are Police Services Act charges,"
said Chief Bevan.

"There is a difference. It's a long-standing practice."

The Police Services Act, enacted in 1990, is provincial legislation
governing the behaviour of law enforcement officials.

In a release sent out by the police last night, Chief Bevan said a
complaint made in October led to an internal investigation by the
Professional Standards Section of the Ottawa department.

As a result of the investigation, police act charges were laid against the
officer, including: two counts of corrupt practice, six counts of
discreditable conduct and one count of neglect of duty.

The charges stemmed from allegations the officer failed to account for
and/or removed small amounts of crack cocaine during the course of his
duties. "All incidents in question occurred prior to the drugs being
processed by the Ottawa Police Service's evidence control warehouse," said
Chief Bevan.

"This breach of the public trust cannot be allowed to affect ongoing or
future police investigations, or the administration of justice in our
city," said Chief Bevan.

He said there is no evidence to suggest the cocaine was taken in order to
be resold.

Neighbourhood police officers take on special projects, such as community
policing, anti-drug initiatives and policing gangs.

The officer has been suspended from duty and a review of Ottawa police
procedures has been launched in order to prevent this type of incident from
happening again in the future, said the chief.

Chief Bevan said he believes the incident to be isolated.

The review is being headed by Deputy Chief Larry Hill and Vince Westwick,
who oversees the police department's professional standards section.

It will focus on determining the impact the incident had on the police
force and any ongoing court cases the force may be involved in. It will
also revisit the procedure and practices related to seizure, handling and
processing of drugs, as well as the continuity of evidence.

The investigating officers will report to the chief on a weekly basis.
Chief Bevan said there is no telling how long the review will take, as
police officers from other forces may be brought in to help.

"If they feel it is appropriate to bring someone else in, it may take
longer," he said.

The Police Services Act carries less harsh penalties than the Criminal Code
of Canada. Under the police act, there is no jail time for conviction.