PEEL POLICE OFFICER LOSES BID TO GET JOB BACK

(Mississauga) - A former Peel Regional Police officer recently fired
for importing an illegal drug into Canada through Pearson
International Airport (PIA) has lost his bid to get his job back.

It was reported to Peel's Police Services Board this week that the
Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services turned down the appeal
of Ahmed Ali Hassan, 39, who worked for the force for five years
before being dismissed on May 30, 2005.

Hassan, who worked for Waterloo Regional Police for four years before
taking the Peel job in 2000, was considered "an ideal officer," and
was featured on the force's recruitment posters.

A commission panel ruled his firing was an appropriate disciplinary measure.

"Cst. Hassan is a junior officer who knowingly committed serious
misconduct. He did so in the presence of his children and in the
jurisdiction where he was employed," stated commission Chair Murray
Chitra in her ruling.

Hassan pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2003 to possession of a controlled
substance in relation to an incident on Jan. 25, 2002, when a Customs
officer discovered more than 200 grams of the illegal drug Khat in
Hassan's luggage. Hassan was returning with his family from Kenya.

Khat is a mild narcotic derived from tree shoots that are chewed much
like tobacco for a stimulant-like effect.

It is a popular social drug, much like alcohol, in East Africa, but
Health Canada officials have classified it as a mood-altering amphetamine.

Hassan was given a conditional discharge and 12 months probation by
Justice Bruce Durno.

Hassan also pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct under the Police
Services Act for "the importation of Khat," and was found guilty by
the hearing officer, Peel Supt. Roman Boychuk, of corrupt practice
for "identifying himself to Customs officers as a police officer in
order to effect a personal advantage," according to a statement
released by the commission.

In May 2005, Boychuk ordered Hassan be dismissed.

"The public and the (police) Service have a right to expect that
police officers will not abuse the position of their office for
personal advantage ," Boychuk said in his ruling, noting that Hassan
lied to police about how the drugs got into his luggage, and tried to
use his status as a police officer to "avoid Customs scrutiny."

"The penalty imposed must be strong enough to send a clear message
that such conduct will not be tolerated."

Hassan and his lawyer, Julie Stanchieri, launched an appeal this
year, saying the penalty of dismissal was "unduly harsh given the
totality of the circumstances," according to the commission's ruling.

Stanchieri told the commission her client was remorseful and is a

"highly-moralistic, religious and honest man."

Stanchieri asked the panel to demote Hassan instead of ruling his
dismissal was justified.

"Ms. Stanchieri argued that Cst. Hassan's potential usefulness to the
police service hasn't extinguished, particularly given his ability to
reach out to both the Somali and Muslim communities," stated Chitra's
ruling. "She suggested that his actions, while reprehensible did not
demonstrate the serious lack of moral judgment necessary for dismissal."

However, the panel ruled Hassan deserved to be fired.

"He was found guilty of three counts of misconduct, (including)
corrupt practice. This is one of the most serious charges in the
code, and represents a substantial breach of trust both with the
public and the (police) Service," Chitra said.