T.O. COP BLASTS FORCE

'Lack of Integrity,' Officer Says

A key cop in a massive probe into alleged corruption in the Toronto
Police drug squad is calling for a public inquiry into the way the
force investigates itself.

Sgt. Jim Cassells, a 29-year Toronto Police veteran with an
unblemished record, asserts that "numerous" allegations of police
wrongdoing have been "swept under the carpet," "minimized," only
partially probed, or have fallen by the wayside amid interference
from some senior officers.

"It's all about the truth ... and the truth is going to be very
painful for the Toronto Police," Cassells told the Toronto Sun and
the CBC in an exclusive interview.

For the past four years, Cassells has been a key investigator in the
RCMP-led probe that led to criminal charges against Staff-Sgt. John
Schertzer and five other cops on his drug team.

Cassells refused to reveal specifics of his allegations, saying he
does not want to jeopardize ongoing court proceedings.

He is also concerned he would lose the protection that he gets under
"whistle-blower" legislation.

"I will give no names, no dates, no places ... but there are
complaints about police (conduct) that are not being processed ...
assaults ... that are not being investigated fully," he said.

Cassells is going public weeks after an internal charge of misconduct
was laid against him for talking to media "without proper authority"
about an "ongoing" internal probe.

Cassells said he met the reporter in November "for all the right
reasons" and that night detailed his concerns to internal affairs
head Staff-Sgt. Chris White.

The only action was the Police Services Act charge that was laid
against him, Cassells said.

"I know why they didn't get back to me ... they didn't want to hear
the answer," he said.

Cassells said his prosecution will put the entire Toronto Police
internal affairs process on trial.

"They have a lot bigger problems than one policeman who speaks with
the media," he said.

"Ultimately, I believe a public inquiry is probably required ... I
honestly believe a third party needs to review how we conduct
ourselves in investigations," Cassells said.

More than two years ago Schertzer and five other former Central Field
Command (CFC) drug cops -- Steve Correia, Joe Miched, Raymond
Pollard, Rick Benoit and Ned Maodus -- were charged with conspiracy
to obstruct justice.

Another 34 charges -- obstructing justice, perjury, theft, extortion
and assault causing bodily harm -- were also laid against some
individuals.

Preliminary Hearing

The charges stem from allegations of a police assault, extortion,
thefts of cash and drugs, and falsification of notes, police records,
court testimony and search warrant affidavits.

A four-month preliminary hearing before Superior Court of Ontario
Justice James Blacklock wrapped up last week and a decision on
whether a trial will be held is expected this summer.

If the case does go to trial, it is certain to be challenged under
the Charter of Rights because of delays.

The six drug cops return to Old City Hall this morning, when
Blacklock will ask their lawyers for positions on a CBC bid to access
exhibits filed at the preliminary hearing.

The drug squad probe -- initiated in 2001 by former chief Julian
Fantino and led by RCMP Staff-Supt. John Neily -- has been full of
controversy.

During the probe, about 200 major drug trafficking prosecutions were
stayed and hundreds of alleged criminals set free.

And in a series of sealed affidavits that were filed during the drug
squad probe and made public weeks after the January 2004 arrests,
Neily alleged that "evidence of criminal activity exists against 17
members" of the CFC drug squads.

At one point, he claimed that evidence supported 122 criminal charges
associated with 28 separate cases.

"I am attempting to identify only ... the most serious offences,"
Neily wrote in one affidavit.

'Criminal Behaviour'

In another affidavit, Neily alleged that 12 cops were involved in
"serious criminal behaviour" and one was trafficking drugs.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Fantino told media at the time of the arrests that the problems were
"isolated."

Cassells said he looks forward to his May 11 appearance before the
police tribunal because it is "an opportunity to bring the truth out."

Cassells said he wants to stress he is not a "disgruntled employee,"
but an average cop who believes the Toronto Police should stick to
the "core values" the service trumpets in the media.

"Honesty and integrity ... it is posted in every police station. It
is on our website. It is part of every promotional process," he said.

"We preach them as an organization. I believe there has been a
serious lack of integrity in the professional standards (unit) I have
been exposed to."

At various stages in the probe, lawyers Clayton Ruby, Edward Sapiano
and Peter Biro have demanded an inquiry.