PROBE DRUG SQUAD, ONTARIO URGED

Police Board Asks Attorney-General to Approve Public Inquiry Into Allegations

The Toronto Police Services Board has opened the door to a public
inquiry that would examine the internal investigation of an alleged
rogue drug squad whose members are currently facing criminal charges.

The board passed a motion yesterday asking Ontario's Attorney-General
to approve an inquiry that would "publicly air all facts if there are
any significant issues still outstanding" after the criminal trials
of six officers, which are expected to begin in 2008.

In a separate portion of yesterday's meeting at police headquarters,
board members gave a tongue-lashing to representatives of the federal
border services agency who appeared to discuss "post-9/11" concerns
about a new "don't ask, don't tell" policy that allows victims of
crime to turn to police without fear of being asked about their
immigration status.

Just before passing the motion regarding the public inquiry, the
board heard a report from Chief Bill Blair on a recent investigation
into allegations of a cover-up made by a veteran police officer.

Sergeant Jim Cassells, a 29-year veteran, was a member of an RCMP-led
task force whose investigation led to charges against the six officers.

Those charges were laid in the fall of 2004, but since then Sgt.
Cassells has gone to the media alleging that wrongdoings unearthed by
the probe have been covered up.

The police chief responded in May by promising an investigation of
Sgt. Cassells' allegations.

In his report to the board yesterday, however, the chief offered few
details about the "very extensive investigation" that spanned months
and involved interviewing Sgt. Cassells "at least three times."

"I'm not going to discuss in detail what the findings were," he said,
citing legal concerns about the impending trials.

However, after the meeting, he suggested that Sgt. Cassells' concerns
may have stemmed from lack of knowledge of the overall probe.

"I understand Jim's concerns reflect the fact that he doesn't know
what happened in certain aspects of the investigation," Chief Blair said.

Board chair Alok Mukherjee said he was satisfied that Sgt. Cassells'
concerns had been looked into properly.

He said the board will now speak to several "stakeholders" --
including prosecutors -- to determine which details from the report
can be made public.

He said he was concerned that certain details might jeopardize the
fairness of criminal trials.

"I'm not going to comment on the report until we are satisfied that
it doesn't risk anything," Dr. Mukherjee said after the meeting.

Meantime, the board brushed aside the concerns of two members of the
Canada Border Services Agency regarding the force's new "don't ask,
don't tell" policy, which allows police officers to interview
witnesses and victims of crime without asking about their immigration status.

The idea is to protect vulnerable people who might otherwise be
reluctant to come forward as witnesses or complainants in criminal matters.

John Gillan, regional director-general for the Greater Toronto Area
branch of the federal agency, said in his presentation to the board
that Toronto police have a duty to co-operate with the federal
agency, and warned that the policy might allow terrorists and
criminals to slip through the cracks.

"It's not just a perceived risk, it's a real risk," Mr. Gillan said.

Several board members were not impressed.

"You must forgive me, but for a moment there I thought I was
listening to a presentation from Homeland Security in the United
States," said board member Hamlin Grange.

Board member and city councillor Pam McConnell asked the two men if
they had actually read the policy.

Mr. Gillan and his colleague, Reg Williams, admitted they had not.

"I really think it would be useful if you studied the policy that you
object to," Ms. McConnell said.

The board recommended that the CBSA representatives read the policy
and return with their concerns in February, when Chief Blair is
scheduled to give a report on its pros and cons after a trial run.
The board will then decide whether to officially implement it.

The board also heard from a half-dozen supporters of the policy,
including lawyers, women's and children's advocates, and human rights groups.

They emphasized that the policy is designed to protect victims, not criminals.

They said the vast majority of illegal immigrants are hard-working
people who should be unafraid to access police services.

One women's rights advocate said that Toronto police should not serve
as the CBSA's "snitch service."

Supporters of the policy also gathered outside Toronto police
headquarters shortly before the police board meeting.

Some called on the police to do more to implement the policy in practice.

"Right now it is just a bureaucratic reality," said Sima Zerehi, a
spokeswoman for Don't Ask Don't Tell and No One Is Illegal Toronto.
"Officers on the ground are not aware that there has been a change in policy."