CRACK-COP COPS PLEA

Guilty On Breach Of Trust, Obstruction, Weapons Raps

A crack-addicted Toronto cop admitted yesterday he ordered a high-security
computer check on a motorcycle gang member to appease his drug supplier, a
gang associate who feared police had infiltrated the club.

Richard "Rickey" Staley, 50, "requested the check for "Jane Doe," who in
December 1996 was selling him crack," Crown attorney David Finley stated
during a reading of an agreed statement of facts.

Staley, a 27-year veteran who has been suspended with pay, pleaded guilty
to 13 charges, including two counts of breach of trust, attempting to
obstruct justice and 10 firearms offences linked to three "lost" restricted
weapons -- which might now be on the streets. He has been a crack addict
for "many years."

Mr. Justice Harry LaForme will sentence Staley on April 26.

Staley, who was a police officer throughout the nine years on the
indictment, was carrying three crack pipes in the pocket of his police
uniform jacket when he was arrested in April 2000, court heard.

Both of his breaches of trust involve getting CPIC checks, one for his
first and steadiest drug dealer, Devon Beckford in 1999 and 2000, and
another for unidentified drug dealer "Jane Doe" in 1996.

She was linked to an unnamed motorcycle gang and her identity wasn't
revealed for safety reasons, said Det. Sgt. Mike Earl, the investigating
officer for the internal affairs branch of the police department.

"A member of that club who was dealing drugs became concerned that he may
have been selling drugs to an undercover police officer, and possibly was
under police surveillance," Finley said.

Doe provided Staley with the names so that he could run a computerized
check (CPIC). Staley complied on Dec. 11, 1996 while working a night shift
at 53 Division.

Staley also provided a CPIC sheet in January 2000 for Bev McLaughlin, the
ex-lover of his main crack supplier for nine years, Beckford.

Beckford informed Mclaughlin's employer by phone that she had a criminal
record and had been hired under false pretences. He later faxed the
employer proof of her rap sheet. The original copy in Beckford's home had
Staley's fingerprint on it, court heard.

Staley also tried to protect Beckford, who was caught shoplifting in April.
The cop lied that Beckford, a parolee who had outstanding charges, had been
an informant to discourage officers from pursuing him. "I'm a victim of
police work," said Staley, who was unrepresented in court. "Police work is
very difficult and it takes its toll."

He noted that studies show civilians live 15 years longer than the average
male cop.