PROBE RESULTS IN 22 CHARGES FILED AGAINST SIX OFFICERS

Chief 'Saddened And Disappointed' But Moves To Reassure Public, Calling
Allegations Isolated And Confined

Police officers must never violate public trust or bring shame to the
profession, Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said yesterday, as he
announced the arrest of six of his officers on drug-related charges.

Looking and sounding grim, Chief Fantino said he was "deeply saddened and
disappointed," but was quick to add that the allegations against six of his
officers are "isolated and confined."

As he has done before when other officers have been charged with violating
their oath to uphold the law, Chief Fantino yesterday reassured the public
that "I am totally committed to leading an ethical and professional police
force."

Staff Sergeant John Schertzer, and Constables Steve Correia, Joseph Miched,
Ray Pollard, Ned Maodus and Richard Benoit turned themselves in to police
yesterday morning to face a total of 22 criminal charges. The offences
include conspiracy to obstruct justice, perjury, extortion, theft and
assault causing bodily harm. Not all the officers face the same charges.

They made their first court appearance later in the day.

After a 40-minute hearing before a justice of the peace in Scarborough, the
six were released on bail. All but Constable Maodus are out on $25,000
bail, which was waived, meaning they did not have to put up the money.

Constable Maodus, who was charged earlier this week with other drug-related
offences, was ordered to hand over $35,000 for his bail. He was also
prohibited from possessing illegal drugs and ordered to live with his
parents in Windsor and to report to Windsor police each Wednesday.

The officers, who have been suspended with pay, cannot have any contact
with each other or with witnesses. They will be back in court on Feb. 25.
The six were members of the notorious Central Field Command Drug Squad Team
3 between July, 1995, and March, 2002, the period under investigation.

The charges stem from an investigation the chief ordered in August, 2001,
to be headed by RCMP Superintendent John Neily. It came in the wake of
another probe into allegations that members of that drug squad were
siphoning off money from their so-called "fink fund," used to pay informants.

Yesterday, Supt. Neily also named four other officers as unindicted
co-conspirators, meaning they will not face criminal charges of conspiracy
to obstruct justice. However, Detectives Jason Kondo and Jonathan Reid, and
Constables Greg Forestall and Mike Turnbull are being placed on restricted
duties. As well, Supt. Neily said several cases involving deceit, neglect
of duty and discreditable conduct have been referred to the force's
professional standards division for possible internal discipline. He did
not say which officers are involved.

He said the six officers allegedly obstructed justice by falsifying their
notes and internal police records, swearing to false affidavits to obtain
search warrants, failing to account for evidence seized and giving false
statements.

Toronto Mayor David Miller called the arrests "sad news for Toronto." He
said the chief has reassured him that he has taken steps to make sure the
situation is being dealt with.

"I respect his assurances. And if there are facts that come to light that
suggest that the problem is more widespread, then we will have to look at
them," he said.