NO CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR DURHAM COPS DRUG SQUAD

A 20-month OPP investigation of the Durham Region police drug squad has
resulted in no criminal charges but has still left a cloud hanging over the
force, union officials say.

The investigation began in January, 2003, after a former drug squad officer
wrote a letter to police Chief Kevin McAlpine alleging shoddy police work
and heavy-handed tactics among the then 18 members of the drug squad.

McAlpine told a news conference yesterday he considered the accusations
serious enough that they should be investigated by an outside police agency.

But after closely examining 273 drug cases, and interviewing the officers
involved, the OPP said there "is no reasonable prospect of a criminal
conviction" in any of the cases.

McAlpine said the investigators did identify 54 cases where allegations of
"excessive use of force, incomplete investigations, reports and other
paperwork, and the processing of some seized property" could lead to police
act charges.

He said now has assigned an internal task force to deal "swiftly and
thoroughly" with these remaining 54 files to see if they warrant further
disciplinary action.

Outside Durham police headquarters in Oshawa, reaction from the local
police union was strong and harsh.

Union vice-president Tom Bell called the investigation outcome "outrageous
and gutless," saying it still leaves a cloud of suspicion hanging over the
heads of at least 11 former drug squad officers.