Pubdate: Thu, 09 May 2013
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Rochelle Baker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

CHIEF RICH HORRIFIED BY ALLEGATIONS ABOUT OFFICER

Abbotsford Police must review scores of criminal files after 
Tuesday's announcement that an APD officer is facing criminal charges 
for helping a drug dealer avoid arrest.

Const. Christopher Nicholson, charged with conspiracy to traffic 
drugs, breach of trust and obstruction of justice, has had his badge 
seized and is suspended from the force.

Suspected of feeding false information to fellow drug squad officers 
who relied on it to obtain search warrants, Nicholson also allegedly 
conspired with a confidential informant to have drugs planted in a 
home, with other police officers conducting a search warrant soon after.

Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich told The Times Tuesday he was 
horrified to learn of the situation and the potential implications on 
the justice process and the use of confidential informants.

The information Nicholson has provided over the years has assisted in 
obtaining dozens of search warrants to residences of drug dealers and 
gang members, said Rich.

It's not yet clear how many cases Nicholson has been involved with 
and which may now be suspect, he said.

"We don't know all those matters will be tainted, just that he had a 
hand in many of them," said Rich.

"How big and wide and how long the investigation will be are things 
we'll figure out in the next couple of weeks."

But although the APD will proceed with caution, officers won't stop 
using confidential informants to help investigate crime, said Rich.

The APD chief wouldn't speculate as to the motives for Nicholson's 
alleged actions.

"It's one of those things we may never know, or he may choose to tell 
us," said Rich.

It's not completely unheard of for things to go off the rails when 
officers work with informants, who generally inhabit the criminal 
world, he added.

It's not known if Nicholson's actions were a case of noble cause 
corruption, where an officer believes positive outcomes justify bad behaviour.

Regardless, it wouldn't be tolerated, Rich stressed.

"We never colour outside the lines when combating crime," said Rich.

"Every member knows they are duty bound to be ethical no matter what, 
and catching the bad guy is secondary to that."

Abbotsford residents will be understandably upset at the news, which 
involves allegations of serious misconduct, said Rich.

But after an extensive, eight-month investigation by the Vancouver 
Police Department, it appears to be an isolated case of corruption.

"We are not waiting for the shoe to drop on anybody else," said Rich.

"I hope the community holds in balance that as soon as [the APD] knew 
it had a problem, it took immediate steps to do the right thing."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom