Pubdate: Thu, 04 May 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, Toronto Sun Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) OFFICER CHARGED FOR CHAT TO MEDIA A Toronto cop who played a key role in Canada's biggest police corruption probe has been charged with misconduct for talking to the media. Jim Cassells, a 29-year Toronto Police veteran with a distinguished career, allegedly talked to a newspaper reporter in November and "discussed" an ongoing probe. Cassells was among about 25 Toronto detectives who served on an RCMP-led special task force that probed alleged wrongdoing in a Central Field Command drug squad unit led by Det.-Sgt. John Schertzer. 40 Charges In January 2004, Schertzer and five other former drug cops -- Steve Correia, Joe Miched, Raymond Pollard, Rick Benoit and Ned Maodus -- were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. Another 34 charges - -- including counts of obstructing justice, perjury, theft, extortion and assault causing bodily harm-- were also laid against some individuals. The charges stem from allegations of an in-custody assault, extortion, thefts of cash and drugs, and falsification of notes, police records, court testimony and search warrant affidavits. A four-month preliminary hearing in the case wrapped up last week and a decision on whether the charges will go to trial is expected this summer. Computer Check Another four officers named as unindicted co-conspirators were never charged. The internal charge against Cassells relates to him allegedly talking to a Toronto Star reporter about a police computer check that Schertzer's wife, Joyce, who is also a Toronto cop, ran on her own licence plate. Joyce Schertzer says she ran the check as part of a training exercise. There are suggestions, however, that checks can reveal if a licence plate has been red-flagged at the American border. Cassells, who is charged under the Police Services Act, said he looks forward to fighting the charge and saying "why I did what I did" at an internal hearing set for May 11. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake