Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2006
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Alan Cairns

TWO MORE CHARGES FOR T.O. COP

Whistleblower Cassells Under Fire

Toronto cop Jim Cassells is having the book thrown at him for blowing
the whistle to a newspaper.

In a move that Cassells' lawyer says is a clear message to cops to
close their eyes and shut their mouths about wrongdoing, internal
affairs has charged Cassells two more times under the Police Services
Act.

Cassells, a 29-year veteran cop and former member of an RCMP-led
special task force probe into allegations of Toronto Police drug squad
corruption, has alleged that "numerous" incidents of police wrongdoing
were either minimized, ignored or swept under the carpet by police
brass.

Cassells went public with vague allegations in the Sun this spring
after Toronto Police internal affairs charged him with misconduct for
having earlier discussions with media.

Police prosecutor Ed Boyd revealed the new charges against Cassells at
a brief police tribunal yesterday.

Cassells' lawyer, Leo Kinahan, said outside the tribunal that he was
"surprised" because Cassells, who was not at the hearing, had not been
advised of the new charges.

Kinahan, however, said he believes the new charges will be
discreditable conduct and breach of confidence and will centre around
his talking to the Toronto Sun and CBC.

After Cassells made his allegations this spring, Toronto Police Chief
Bill Blair announced a "procedural review" of the special task force's
probe.

Toronto Police Services Board chairman Alok Mukherjee has promised to
make the review findings public.

Sources say the review -- conducted by a senior York Regional officer
- -- has been in Blair's hands for weeks.

Initially, both Blair and Mukherjee seemed to dismiss Cassells'
allegations. They also brushed aside concerns by senior federal
prosecutor John North that he had lost faith in their "ability" and
"willingness" to police themselves.

Kinahan said outside the tribunal that he hoped the Cassells case
would be "handled differently".

"I am not the Toronto Police Service and we will handle it
accordingly," he said. "But I think it sends a message ... to keep
your mouth shut and not say anything."
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MAP posted-by: Derek