DRUG PUSH PROMISED

Crime Gangs On Chief's List

Police Chief Jack Beaton said his vision for Calgary isn't complete -- and
that's why he wants to sign a new contract as the city's top cop. Beaton,
who yesterday confirmed he is seeking another deal with the city, said
issues ranging from organized crime to social strife in the East Village
have left him eager to finish the job.

"I'm very concerned -- I didn't stay on just to coast," said Beaton. "I
stayed on because I haven't finished what I thought was necessary to keep
our community safe."

Beaton's current five-year contract expires in October 2005, and he is
preparing to negotiate a new deal with the Calgary Police Commission that
could last another five years.

The new contract comes as the police force fights allegations of brutality
and covering-up for a drunk traffic staff sergeant -- but police commission
members say their trust in Beaton's leadership remains strong.

Once the new deal is complete, Beaton said a major part of his next mandate
will be to target drugs -- including crystal meth and hydroponic marijuana
- -- which he says fuels organized crime.

"Remember, all of this feeds organized crime, which is alive and well in
Calgary and the province of Alberta," said Beaton, adding he's proud of the
success of the police street gangs unit over the past year.

The details of the chief's actual contract are secret, but Beaton, who
currently earns in the $150,000-a-year range, said he won't seek to
drastically increase that figure to match the $200,000 made by his Edmonton
counterpart.

"I'm not in this business for money, I'm in it because I've been doing it
for a lifetime and they know that as well as I do. I live here, I'm going
to retire here, and my children are going to raise my grandchildren here,"
said Beaton.