COCAINE COP ORDERED TO QUIT TORONTO FORCE

TORONTO -- A police officer who admitted to trafficking cocaine and betting
on "fixed" horse races has been ordered to resign within a week.

A disciplinary hearing officer rejected a joint submission by Const. Robert
Kelly, 38, and the Toronto police, which would have allowed the 15-year
veteran to stay on the force.

"There is no room on the service for those who choose to live the life of
the criminals, whom they have sworn to protect society from," Supt. Tony
Warr said in his ruling.

"The public expects a higher level of behaviour from those it entrusts with
extraordinary powers," said Warr. "The loss of the public trust is the most
devastating thing that can happen to a police service."

Kelly was arrested in 2001 by an RCMP-led internal task force that probed
allegations of corruption in drug squads.

The allegations have resulted in more than 200 drug cases being dropped
since 1999 by federal drug prosecutors. Six officers from a downtown drug
squad are expected to go on trial next year on a number of
corruption-related offences.

Kelly received a suspended sentence in March after he pleaded guilty to
cocaine possession.

Justice Ian Cowan noted in his ruling that in the agreed statement of
facts, the officer admitted to trafficking a small amount of cocaine to an
informant "to obtain repayment of the gambling debt from him and to
continue to receive information on fixed horse races."

Kelly said that he began to "self-medicate" with cocaine as a result of the
stress of undercover work and personal issues.

The officer said he was "flabbergasted" by the ruling and said it sent a
message to any officer with a substance-abuse problem "to get back in your
hole."

The joint submission would have required Kelly to submit to random drug
testing.

Kelly has been suspended with pay since his arrest nearly three years ago.