Pubdate: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: The Hamilton Spectator 2003 Contact: http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Carmelina Prete Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) TOP COP DECLARES WAR ON CRACK Diverse Force a Top Priority Cracking down on crack cocaine and aggressively recruiting cops who better reflect the community they serve are top priorities for Hamilton's new police chief. Deputy Chief Brian Mullan, a 30-year Hamilton police veteran repeatedly described as a "people person," will be promoted to Hamilton police's top job next month. He will take over with high expectations from his predecessor Chief Ken Robertson, 56, who retires from his five and a half years as chief. "It's purely a dream come true. It's somewhat surreal," says Mullan, humbly. Mullan's aspirations have been 30 years in the making. He remembers a senior cop pulling him into an office on his first day on the job to ask him what he wanted to do on the force. "I want to be chief," the 19-year-old cadet answered boldly. And what if he couldn't be chief, the inspector asked? "Then I want to be deputy chief," he replied. The 49-year-old married father of two will have fulfilled both goals with his newest appointment, announced at a packed press conference at downtown police headquarters yesterday afternoon. Mullan says his biggest challenge as chief will be to fight crime trends, particularly the war against crack cocaine. He plans to beef up intelligence-based policing to deal with the issue "head on." "(Crack) is deteriorating and undermining the basic fabric of society," says Mullan, adding it's behind much of the increases in local robberies and auto thefts. And, he says, he'll take "fairly substantial steps" in human resources to attract candidates to the force who better reflect the community's diversity. For example, the hiring process will be reviewed to weed out any systemic bias that may exist that may make it harder for minorities to get hired. "It's essential for us not only to reflect our community but to respond to our community," says Mullan. Police Services Board member Tom Jackson, who is also a city councillor, says Mullan's passion for diversity was part of what gave him an edge over the other six internal candidates. "He's very strong on diversity ... to be even more inclusive for our visible minorities ... and to bring more women in the service," says Jackson. "He's very progressive and proactive that way." Hamilton has the third-highest proportion of foreign-born residents in the country, trailing only Vancouver and Toronto. Chief Robertson hailed Mullan's promotion as "the most important decision our service would undergo this decade," adding that Mullan embodies all the characteristics of a good leader. "He will be an absolutely outstanding chief of police." He praised his intelligence, training and education. But most importantly, says Robertson, Mullan cares deeply about the officers and the community. "Brian and I are cut from the same cloth," Robertson said in an interview. "We sincerely believe that our job is to listen to our community and to listen to our organization." Robertson was complimented by police service board members for doing a good job in grooming capable leaders to succeed him. Police Services Board Chair Bernie Morelli said there was no need to go outside the police service because all the internal candidates were of such high calibre. Mullan's five-year contract starts at a $145,000 salary. A decision on the deputy chief job left vacant by the chief designate is expected to be made "as soon as possible" said Jackson. During his speech, Mullan thanked his wife of 23 years, Loretta, and his daughters, Stephanie, a 19-year-old McMaster student, and Ashley, 16. "I couldn't have done this without you," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake