Pubdate: Tue, 30 Sep 2003
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2003, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Robert Matas

VANCOUVER POLICE BEGIN INTERNAL PROBE

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Police Department confirmed yesterday that it is
conducting an internal investigation into yet another series of allegations of
police brutality and misconduct.

A police officer is accused of lying under oath, fabricating evidence in court,
stealing items seized by police and withholding information concerning police
brutality.

The series of allegations, revealed in a highly unusual news conference on the
weekend by Chief Constable Jamie Graham, are the sixth set of serious charges
against the force to be aired in recent months.

Despite the mounting accusations of brutality and misconduct, B.C.
Solicitor-General Rich Coleman ruled out the use of a public inquiry.

He told reporters that the department is "a pretty decent, professional,
internationally renowned police force" and is confident it can handle the most
recent incident with an internal investigation.

Chief Graham said the incidents are isolated.

"We're trying to deal with them as best we can."

The most recent surfaced when a three-year member of the force applied for a
job with the police department in Saanich, a community outside Victoria.

The junior constable allegedly revealed at that time that he had given false
evidence in a criminal trial involving drugs, as well as mishandling items that
were evidence in the trial.

The constable made a vague reference to overhearing noises at a police station
that he said could have been officers using excessive force.

He is currently on a paid leave of absence.

Another officer, his partner, who has 10 years experience, was placed on desk
duties while the investigation continues.

The officer is the eighth with the Vancouver force to come under investigation
since the start of the year.

Six were charged with assault with a weapon for allegedly picking up three
suspected drug dealers on a downtown mall, taking them to Stanley Park and
beating them.

Vancouver police conduct also came under scrutiny after the death of Frank
Paul.

Officers are accused of dragging Mr. Paul out of a drunk tank in December and
leaving him in an alley, where he died of exposure to the weather.

This month, the family of Jeff Berg called for a police inquiry after Mr. Berg
died during an arrest.

The allegations were made as the department fights a lawsuit accusing police of
beating bystanders at a cancelled Guns N' Roses concert in November.

The RCMP is investigating 50 complaints lodged in June by the Pivot Legal
Society that include allegations of police torture, use of excessive force,
illegal search and seizure and so-called starlight tours, where people are
taken to isolated areas and left to fend for themselves.

The society, which compiled the list, is a non-profit legal-advocacy group.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk