OFFICER NOW UNDER HOUSE ARREST

Veteran charged in connection with fake drug shakedowns

A 10-year veteran of the Toronto police force arrested in connection with an
alleged series of fake police drug shakedowns and home invasion robberies,
was released from custody under house arrest yesterday after a hearing in
Newmarket court.

Darin Cooper, a constable who worked as a detective at 55 Division, on
Coxwell Ave. near Dundas St. E., was arrested March 10 along with six
others. They face such charges as attempted murder, breach of trust,
impersonating police, armed robbery and possession of unregistered
restricted weapons.

Cooper, 30, who was held in solitary confinement for his own protection, is
the first of the accused to be freed on bail.

Defence lawyer Ed Greenspan persuaded Superior Court Judge Bruce Glass to
overturn a detention order and release Cooper, a 55 Division constable, on
$640,000 bail, naming Cooper, parents Elmer and Barbara, a cousin, and a
close family friend as sureties.

Cooper, who was suspended with pay, must reside at a home owned by his wife
and her father in Whitby, is subject to a strict curfew and cannot
communicate with the six other people he was charged with. The order
requires Cooper's parents to live with him in Whitby.

Glass ruled that the presumption of innocence applies on bail hearings even
though prosecutors argued that they had a strong case.

"We produced 10 affidavits of support and there wasn't the slightest concern
he wouldn't appear for trial," Greenspan said, noting that the contested
proceedings were not subject to a publication ban. "He is effectively under
house arrest."

Greenspan argued that there was no likelihood that Cooper would commit any
crimes if released on bail "since all of the allegations relate to his work
as a policeman."