SIU PROBES EX-ARGO'S CLAIM OF BEATING BY PEEL OFFICERS

Allegations that former Toronto Argonaut linebacker Orlando Bowen was
beaten by two Peel Region police officers are being probed by the
province's Special Investigations Unit.

Bowen, who is suing Peel police for $14.6 million, alleges that Peel
Constables Sheldon Cook and Grant Gervais not only beat him but
planted drugs on him when he was arrested March 26, 2004.

Bowen, 30, was charged with assaulting the two officers and possessing
a small quantity of crack cocaine. But a Brampton judge acquitted him
on Dec. 22 of all charges.

In November, the RCMP had charged Cook, 38, with trafficking and
possessing cocaine, a case that is still before the courts. Police
allege 15 kilograms of cocaine, part of a controlled drug shipment
being orchestrated by the RCMP, was found hidden at his Cambridge residence.

SIU spokesperson Rose Bliss said yesterday the SIU was notified by
Bowen's legal representatives on Wednesday about the alleged beating
that occurred in the parking lot behind the Locomotion strip club in
Mississauga.

According to Bliss, Bowen sought medical treatment in hospital for
injuries he allegedly received during his arrest after being released
from custody.

The SIU investigates when police are involved in a serious injury or
death to determine whether charges should be laid against officers.

In a lawsuit launched earlier this month, Bowen says he was not only
assaulted by the two officers but also later falsely arrested by
another group of officers who responded to the incident.

Along with Cook and Gervais, the lawsuit names retired Peel Police
Chief Noel Catney, the Peel Police Services Board and six other Peel
officers.

Bowen, who played linebacker for the Argos between 1999-2002, worked
with Peel Police in their anti-bullying campaign at various Peel schools.