"DON'T ADVOCATE ABUSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS, PROVINCE"

My office has responsibility for the prosecution of drug offences in B.C.
including the prosecution of Anthony Denault, who was central to your lead
story Wednesday. Your editorial suggested Vancouver police spokesperson
Anne Drennan was not being forthright when she said the chief's office was
unaware of the ruling.

Judge herb Weitzel ruled on the case in December but it was not until Jan. 7
that a transcript of the ruling was received by my office. We were in the
process of reveiwing it for the purposes of assessing whether there was a
basis for an appeal when the ruling was brought to Ms. Drennan's attention
fy the media. At that time, we had not advised the chief.

Robert Prior, Federal Prosecution Service, Department of Justice, B.C.
region

In face of all this recent "police bashing" regarding five Vancouver police
offecers, I would like to inform you of the great work that some of these
officers have done for me and others on my street.

I live in the Grandview-Woodlands area of Commercial Drive where drug
dealing was a major problem last summer. Our was a major problem last
summer. Our street and back alley were used for "dial-a-dope" drop offs and
pickups. The police took our concerns very seriously, in particular
Constable Katrine O'Reilly.

With their quick actions, professional conduct and working with the
comunity, dealers were apprehended and we regained a sense of control of our
street and feeling of security. Thank you, Katrina and all the others in
the Vancouver Police Department who helped.

Peter Bates, Vancouver.