OFFICER CHARGED FOR CHAT TO MEDIA

A Toronto cop who played a key role in Canada's biggest police
corruption probe has been charged with misconduct for talking to the
media.

Jim Cassells, a 29-year Toronto Police veteran with a distinguished
career, allegedly talked to a newspaper reporter in November and
"discussed" an ongoing probe.

Cassells was among about 25 Toronto detectives who served on an
RCMP-led special task force that probed alleged wrongdoing in a
Central Field Command drug squad unit led by Det.-Sgt. John Schertzer.

40 Charges

In January 2004, Schertzer and five other former drug cops -- Steve
Correia, Joe Miched, Raymond Pollard, Rick Benoit and Ned Maodus --
were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. Another 34 charges
- -- including counts of obstructing justice, perjury, theft, extortion
and assault causing bodily harm-- were also laid against some
individuals.

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

A four-month preliminary hearing in the case wrapped up last week and
a decision on whether the charges will go to trial is expected this
summer.

Computer Check

Another four officers named as unindicted co-conspirators were never
charged.

The internal charge against Cassells relates to him allegedly talking
to a Toronto Star reporter about a police computer check that
Schertzer's wife, Joyce, who is also a Toronto cop, ran on her own
licence plate.

Joyce Schertzer says she ran the check as part of a training exercise.
There are suggestions, however, that checks can reveal if a licence
plate has been red-flagged at the American border.

Cassells, who is charged under the Police Services Act, said he looks
forward to fighting the charge and saying "why I did what I did" at an
internal hearing set for May 11.