BARRIE COP SUBJECT OF NARCOTICS PROBE

Secrecy surrounds the suspension of a Barrie police officer being
investigated for purchasing illegal drugs while on duty.

Const. Rod Hackett, 30, was suspended with pay yesterday morning.

Barrie Police Chief Wayne Frechette held a brief news conference at
police headquarters, where he announced the allegations against the
uniformed patrol officer.

"I will not be able to comment further or take questions," said
Frechette, who made a quick exit after his statement. "I wish I could
say more, but that's not going to happen for a while."

The OPP is investigating the case, but could not be reached for
comment.

Police are not releasing any details of the incidents surrounding the
suspension or the suspension itself.

Frechette said Hackett has been a member of the Barrie Police Service
since April 1997.

Police would not comment on how many of the 252 police personnel =AD
which includes 172 officers =AD are currently under investigation or
have been suspended.

This suspension comes on the heels of a Toronto scandal in which four
police officers have been hit with corruption charges.

David Blenkarn, head of the Barrie Police Service Board, said the
local police service is not following in its big-city counterpart's
footsteps.

"Here, we're on top of things," he said of the difference between the
two police services.

"Every profession has some bad apples. I have every confidence we've
managed to remove what is suspected of being a bad apple from our barrel."

There is difficulty with an officer from time to time, said Blenkarn,
explaining a suspension without pay is akin to a dismissal and Hackett
has not been dismissed.

Blenkarn said Hackett's suspension is a testament to the ethics upheld
by the force.

"I think it's good our service can police our people and make sure
that, if a Barrie police officer breaks the law, the same laws apply
as they do to a citizen," he said.

Brian Read, president of the Barrie Police Association, said officers
are shocked and saddened by what they've heard. He said the
association will support Hackett in making sure he is afforded every
legal right.

Calling Hackett a diligent worker and an asset to the service, Read
said this incident should not be taken as evidence of a corrupt force.

"One person is under suspension," he said. "No one should tar and
feather the other officers who work hard every day and put in a
service to the community."

Blenkarn said police officers who break the law are hit with a "double
whammy" because they can be charged with disreputable conduct under
the Police Act, which is separate from the rules and laws to which
citizens are subject.

If Hackett is charged criminally, he will be charged under the Police
Act.

"He could lose his job, be demoted or be penalized with loss of pay,"
said Blenkarn.

"Police have to live by a higher moral code than the rest of the
public."