OFFICER FACING DRUG CHARGES KEPT JOB

Montreal Policeman Worked At Airport While Investigated For Alleged
Trafficking

MONTREAL -- Montreal's police chief has defended allowing an officer
arrested on drug trafficking charges to continue working at Trudeau
International Airport for the past year.

Police Chief Yvan Delorme said the officer had been under
investigation for the past two years after a tip from U.S.
authorities.

But Chief Delorme said Pierre Goulet, a 14-year veteran, had asked to
work at the airport, and policy stipulates an officer can't be refused
a posting if he has the necessary experience.

"In the police contract, if a policeman asks to go somewhere, we
cannot refuse him, if he has the necessary seniority and the
competence . . . so we accepted to send him to the airport," he said.

He said investigators did not want to arouse suspicion and accepted
the transfer request.

Chief Delorme also offered assurances to the public and stressed that
airport authorities were informed of the situation.

"He [the officer] was not involved in any criminal activity at the
airport and the population can be assured of that," the chief stressed.

The 41-year-old officer was arrested Monday after an extensive
investigation by the force's internal affairs department.

Chief Delorme said fellow officers were shocked at the news of the
arrest and alleged wrongdoings.

"They all said they don't want that kind of policeman in the Montreal
Police Department. The public can have complete confidence in their
policemen because they're very good."

Chief Delorme said the head of Trudeau airport and Jacques Duchesneau,
the head of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, were
informed of the investigation.

He could not provide any details of the American investigation, saying
the case involved drug trafficking between Canada and the United
States and only information on the accused officer was provided.