Police Misconduct, Brutality and Use of Force in Canada - 2001
Toronto Police Corruption Probed On or around August 16, 2001, Chief Julian Fantino of the Toronto Police Services has called in the RCMP to probe alleged perjury, corruption and internal theft from the 'fink fund' by members of the drug squad Related News Story 1 | Related News Story 3 | Related News Story 4 | Related News Story 5
Randall Porter On or around August 15, 2001, former York Region police officer, Randall Porter lost a lawsuit which he filed against the police department for malicious prosecution after he was charged for spelling out the racial epithet 'n....' on a chalkboard during a race relations seminar.
Ronald Glenn West Aged 54 On or around August 15, 2001, former Toronto police officer, Ronald Glenn West has been sentenced to two concurrent life terms for the 1970 sex slayings of two nurses. West pleaded guilty to two counts of non-capital murder yesterday in a hushed Brampton courtroom and will be sent to Kingston Penitentiary. Related News Story
Const. Simon Moussa and Const. Maurice Lalonde Both Aged 38. On or around August 10, 2001, Const. Simon Moussa and Const. Maurice Lalonde of the Ontario Provincial were charged under the Police Services Act with discreditable conduct after a crime-scene photograph involving an aboriginal victim was inappropriately e-mailed to their colleagues. The officers in question were suspended from their law enforcement duties pending a hearing in Sept. 2001 News Story
Chief Dave Scott On or around June 22, 2001, Chief Dave Scott of the Saskatoon Police had his three-year contract terminated. Residents of Saskatoon are still outraged following the mistreatment of First Nations people by the police in Saskatoon where some officers have allegedly dropped off First Nations men on the outskirts in sub zero temperatures. A Saskatoon website available at InjusticeBusters.com have a lot of information on dysfunctional policing in Saskatoon.
Det. Const. Larry Smith On or around July 19, 2001, Detective Constable Larry Smith, a 20 year veteran of the Toronto Police Services [elite and specialized] Undercover Unit was docked 12 days pay following a police hearings held under the Police Services Act in connection with charges that he was drinking on duty the night his partner Detective Constable Bill Hancox was murdered while on an undercover assignment. Five officers, including a superintendent, were charged under the Police Services Act in the drinking episode. Superintendent Paul Gottschalk, Smith and Manuel were convicted, one officer was acquitted and the other had his charges withdrawn. Related news Story
RCMP Badly Handles Cross-Burning in Moncton On or around July 18, 2001, it was reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Moncton admitted that their initial response to a cross-burning at the home of a black family on the weekend was clearly inappropriate. The first investigators on the scence treated the incident as a property crime rather than a hate crime. RCMP Superintendent, Mike Woods, told the local policing authority that the incident is clearly racist. Related News Story
Former Officer, Rachel Poff Sues Sudbury Police On or around July 17, 2001, it was reported that the Rachel Poff, a former Constable in the Sudbury police filed a lawsuit against the Sudbury Police which alleged that she was forced from her job last year after being drugged and sexually assaulted by a member of a biker gang. Defendants in the lawsuit include Sudbury Police Chief Alex McCauley, the Sudbury Police Services Board, and three officers of the Sudbury Police.
OPP and MNR Porn and Racism Probed On or around July 5, 2001, it was reported that the OPP and the Ministry of Natural Resources are conducting investigations into officers and staff involvement in porn and racist e-mail swapping at some OPP detachments and MNR government offices in Northern Ontario. On July 5, 2001, it has been reported that at the MNR 6 employees were fired and over 80 were disciplined following the investigations. At the OPP 60 employess are under investigation. The investigations are ongoing. Related News Story
Jocelyn Hotte Aged 42. On or around June 23, 2001, Jocelyn Hotte an RCMP officer who is a member of a squad that protects dignitaries has been charged with first-degree murder following a drive-by shooting in Montreal which resulted in the execution of his ex-girlfriend and the attempted murder of three other passengers in her car. See details from News Report 1| News Report 2| News Report 3
Chief Dave Scott On or around June 22, 2001, Chief Dave Scott of the Saskatoon Police had his three-year contract terminated. Residents of Saskatoon are still outraged following the mistreatment of First Nations people by the police in Saskatoon where some officers have allegedly dropped off First Nations men on the outskirts in sub zero temperatures. A Saskatoon website available at InjusticeBusters.com have a lot of information on dysfunctional policing in Saskatoon.
Const. Gregory ForestallAged 38. On or around June 18, 2001, it has been reported that Const. Gregory Forestall, a 14-year veteran of Toronto Polices Services, 11 Division has been charged with perjury following an internal investigation. He will appear in court on July 17, 2001. Const. Forestall has been reassigned.
Const. Craig Galassi On or around June 18, 2001, it was reported that Const. Craig Galassi of the Hamilton Police has been found guilty of using his gun carelessly on the job after pointing the firearm at another officer's groin inside the Hamilton Police Station. Const. Galassi was suspended from his position as a law enforcement officer.
Ag. Sgt. Kenneth Deane On or around June 6, 2001, Ag. Sgt. Kenneth Deane of the OPP will appear before a police disciplinary tribunal as the OPP seeks to dismiss Deane who was convicted of criminal negligence and given a two-year conditional sentence following an investigation and his guilty plea in the death of First nations protester Dudley George in 1995 at Ipperwash Park on Lake Huron.
Abraham Bailey On or around June 4, 2001, a former officer of the Toronto Police Services pleaded guilty to trafficking and possession charges after being busted for selling drugs out of his doughnut shop at Yonge and Steeles in February 1999.
Supt. Paul Gottschalk On or around the early part of June 2001, Supt. Paul Gottschalk of the Toronto Police Services received a reprimand from a police tribunal for neglect of duty following allegations that he failed to report allegations that two detectives under his command were drinking on the night that Detective Constable Bill Hancock died in 1998. Related News Story
Sgt. Teresa Douglas On or around May 27, 2001, Sgt. Teresa Douglas of the Toronto Police Services was suspended from duty as a law enforcement officer after being charged with criminal mischief following an off-duty domestic related incident.
Chief Albert Gramolini Around May 22, 2001, Al Gramolini, Chief of the London Police Force was suspended after he faced charges of expense-account fraud following an lengthy investigation, triggered by an anonymous leak of documents, suggesting that he had claimed about $700 in expenses for out-of-town meetings he did not attend. Chief Gramolini is due in court on July 5. Related News Story.
Constable Michael PrattOn or around May 21, 2001, it was reported that Constable Michael Pratt, an RCMP officer in Vancouver was convicted of assault for holding his gun to the head of a dentist he mistook for a pimp. Constable Michael Pratt has been fined $2,000 and placed on 18 months probation. Constable Michael Pratt, a 10-year member of the RCMP, pressed the barrel of his gun against the temple of Dr. Kary Taylor, a black Vancouver dentist, during an ostensibly routine traffic check for a parking violation in February, 1999. The RCMP has yet to decide if Const. Pratt will return to police duties. Update In 2003, neighbours in a Vancouver neighbourbood have turned to the courts to seek redress for what they consider to be harassing and intimidating behaviour by Pratt. First person details by the complainants are available in the guestbook [see postings by Simmonds et. al.] and in a related news story from the Province, a newspaper in British Columbia.
Const. Gregory Donald Seath Around May 15, 2001, Constable Gregory Donald Seath, a Alberta police officer who was suspended and serving a conditional sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice shot himself in the head. He left a suicide note at his Edmonton Home.
Const. Michael Carrington On or around May 14, 2001, Const. Michael Carrington of Toronto Police Services 42 Division was charged with breach of trust following a violation of the Highway Traffic Act for personal benefit. Following a traffic stop, a female motorist was told to strip or receive a traffic ticket. The woman complied with the former order but reported the matter to the authorities. Related News Story
Const. Christopher Walpole On or around June 8, 2001, Constable Christopher Walpole of the Peel Regional Police will appear in court to face charges of assault on a teenager during an investigation of an alleged shoplifting incident at the Square One Mall in Mississauga. The assault occurred last winter.
Robert Wiche Aged 42. On or around May 15, 2001, York Region Police officer Robert Wiche's lawsuit against the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was dismissed by Justice John Ground of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Wiche suit alleged malicious prosecution by the SIU.
Alfred Foster Aged 51. On or around May 9, 2001, Cobourg deputy police chief Alfred Foster, pleaded not guilty to charges of drunk driving after failing a roadside screening test in 1999.
Const. Ernie Chornoboy On or around May 9, 2001, Const. Ernie Chornoboy, an officer with the Toronto Police Services faced charges of driving while disqualified. He has been suspended from active duty as a law enforcement officer.
Const. Clarence Piterson Aged 31 On or around May 9, 2001, Const. Clarence Piterson, an officer with the Toronto Police Services Emergency Task Force faced charges of forging a prescription. He is still on active duty as a law enforcement officer.
Roland Houle Aged 54. On or around May 8, 2001, Durham police officer Roland Houle was charged with criminal harassment, mischief and prowl by night. He has since been suspended from his duties as a law enforcement office. Officer Houle is also accused of dousing a Whitby resident's lawn with gasoline.
Christoper LaChappelle Aged 36 On or around May 6, 2001, Brampton police officer Christopher LaChappelle faced charges including impaired driving causing death in connection with the death of 78 year old Henry Belanger.
Const. Martin Cardinal Aged 24. On or around May 3, 2001, Television stations from coast to coast show footage of Ottawa-Carleton regional Police Const. Martin Cardinal violent assault on a woman who was in handcuffs and showing no signs of resisting arrest. Const. Martin Cardinal slammed the woman headfirst twice into the hood of his police cruiser. He has been criminally charged and suspended from the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services. Related News Coverage
Sgt.-Det. Alain Desrosiers and Claude Aubin On or around April 12, 2001, Sgt.-Det. Alain Desrosiers, a Montreal police officer and his former partner pleaded guilty to selling police information to criminal gangs. Sgt.-Det. Alain Desrosiers received a conditional sentence of two years minus a day, meaning he will not have to serve jail time. He also lost his job after 23 years on the force. Claude Aubin, Desrosiers' former partner, was handed a harsher sentence of two years in jail. He also faced charges of weapons possession after police found about 20 weapons at his home. He retired from the force about two years ago after 33 years on the force to work as a private detective.
Staff Sgt. Bob Stenhouse On or around April 11, 2001, RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Stenhouse faces the possibility of further internal investigation relating to allegations that he publicly criticized the RCMP. Staff Sgt. Bob Stenhouse is alleged to have leaked police documents to a journalist sparking an investigation and disciplinary hearing into his conduct.
RCMP Apology - NB Excessive Use of Force - Better Late than Never On or around April 8, 2001, the RCMP in New Bruinswick apologized to local residents of an Arcadian community for using excessive force during a protest in Saint-Savier, NB in 1997. It was reporterd that at that time, RCMP officers in riot gear used tear gas and dogs to attack a group of children and adults who were involved in a peaceful protest against the closeure of their community schools.
Toronto Police Action Against Misconduct Charges On or around April 5, 2001, Toronto police began workplace action [described in some media publications as a 'work-to-rule'] against the 400% increase in charges laid against Toronto police under the Police Services Act. According to NOW Magazine, a 13 page document [from the police union] sets out rules cops should abide by in order to stay out of trouble.
Darryl Renton Aged 29. On or around March 13, 2001, Brantford police officer Darryl Renton was charged with posession of child pornography. Ontario Provincial Police investigators raided Officer Renton's residence and seized a variety of evidence including a computer and diskettes. This officer has since been suspended with pay. Related News Story.
Paul Gottschalk On or around March 7, 2001, Toronto Police Superintendent Paul Gottschalk was found guilty at a disicplinary hearning under the Police Services Act for neglect of duty for inaction on the complaint of Kim Hancox in relation to the circumstances surrounding the conduct of two officers [Det. Elmer Manuel and Det. Const. Larry Smith - guilty of misconduct and drinking while on duty] on the night that Det. Const. Bill Hancox died while on duty on August 4, 1998. Supt. Gottschalk will be sentenced at a date to be determined. This posting will be updated to reflect the sentencing decision.
Donald Cuthbert, Kuitim Collin, Alton McFarlane, Carleton Johnson, Robert Mondesir and Dale Sammy On or around February 21, 2001, Toronto Corrections Officers Donald Cuthbert, Kuitim Collin, Alton McFarlane, Carleton Johnson, Robert Mondesir and Dale Sammy faced charges of aggravated assault after a 26 year old Toronto East Detention Centre Inmate was placed in a segregation cell and violently attacked by these jail guards on February 2, 2001. The suspended jail guards are to appear in a Scarborough court on March 21.
Darin Cooper On or around February 21, 2001, Toronto police officer Darin Cooper along with up to seven criminal accomplices plead guilty to armed robbery and other criminal acts which they had committed during a dangerous across the Greater Toronto Area. Cooper has since been sentenced to over nine years in jail for the crime spree and breach of trust. Related News Story.
Henry Masuka's Inquest On or around April 17, 2001, an inquest will look into the shooting death by police of Henry Masuka at St. Michaels Hospital. Around 25 witnesses are expected to provide testimony over a period of two weeks. Under Ontario's Coroners Act, all deaths that occur while a person is detained by or in the actual custody of a peace officer are subject to a mandatory inquest.
Barry Schneider Aged 43. On or around February 16, 2001, it was disclosed that Vancouver area RCMP Constable and long-time Drug Awareness Coordinator Barry Schneider died as a result of a drug overdose of heroin and cocaine. Barry Schneider's death occured in November 2000. See Related Story.
Const. Andrew Kostorowski et. al Aged 46. On or around February 12, 2001, Toronto police constable Kostorowski along with accomplices were arrested and charged in an ongoing investigation into a car-theft ring.
Gerry Belong Aged 33. On or around February 10, 2001, The Toronto Star reported that RCMP constable Gerry Belong is awaiting sentencing for sexually assaulting a woman. Constable Belong used a police cruiser and other resources of the force to abuse his legal authority as well as violate the rights of the woman. Belong has been suspended without pay from the RCMP.
Morgan Campbell Aged 24. On or around February 9, 2001 a Toronto Star, news article mentioned that Morgan Campbell, a reporter with the Toronto Star was harassed by two Peel police officers. Mr. Campbell was interrogated, intimidated and followed by the cops. The police made an assumption that Mr. Campbell, a young black male, is "a drug pusher named Matt." Mr. Campbell was humiliated by his ordeal and rightfully noted in his news article that "For many black men in the GTA, police harassment is another rite of passage, like a first car or a first tax return." Hopefully, Mr. Campbell will use the police complaints process and make the officers accountable for their actions.
Kenneth Deane On or around January 31, 2001, the OPP officer convicted in the 1995 shooting death of aboriginal activist Dudley George will face charges under the Police Services Act. The force decided to go ahead with the disciplinary procedures after the Supreme Court of Canada upheld Kenneth Deane’s conviction for criminal negligence causing death,’’ Supt. Rick Kotwa said in a release from provincial police headquarters. Penalties under the police act "range up to and including dismissal," he said.
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