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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JULY 28,2004 PAGE 3 www.durtiamregion.com Probe casts growing shadow over Durham drug unit Exact nature <j)f allegations $till a mystery after nearly 18 months BY JEFF MITCHELL Staff writer DURHAM -- The number of Durham Regional Police ofticcrs being investigated for possible misconduct continues to rise as an internal task force works its way through files related related to busts made by the disbanded Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Twelve officers have now been told they could be charged under the Police Services Act (PSA), police spokesman Dave Selby confirmed yesterday. Meanwhile, 37 other cops have been notified they may be called upon as witnesses in a total of 97 incidents now being probed. The internal investigation is being carried out in conjunction with an On tario Provincial Police probe of allegations allegations of criminal activity by DEU officers. officers. "It's not a criminal investigation," Mr. Selby said of the internal review. "It's about conduct, and it's coming out of the files that were looked at by the OPP." The DEU has been under investigation investigation since February 2003, when Chief Kevin McAlpine called in the OPP. While results of the OPP probe haven't been made public, several sources, including including the chief, have said the report is finished and in the hands of the Crown attorney. The exact nature of the allegations has never been revealed. Sources say the OPP reviewed more than 250 files of cases handled by the DEU. In the meantime, the chief has established established an internal probe to review DEU files for possible misconduct that may result in PSA charges. The move has drawn fire from both police officers officers and civilians, but has been defended defended by the chief. "We take every complaint seriously and we certainly want to make sure our people do their jobs properly," Chief McAlpine said in an earlier interview. During that interview in early July, the chief said about 30 officers had been notified they could be called as witnesses as the force investigates potential potential PSA charges. At that time, eight cops had been identified as possible subject officers. As the number of potential PSA charges continues to rise, officers caught up in the probe persist in their claim Durham Regional Police brass are engaged in an effort to root out even the slightest hint of misconduct on the part of former DEU cops. Some critics say police brass are resorting resorting to PSA charges to compensate for what they predict will be a finding of no criminal conduct when the OPP report is made public. Former DEU officers officers have called the task force investigation investigation a "witch hunt" designed to save face in the event allegations of criminal conduct aren't borne out. One former DEU officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted 'Port Perry Star' joins Metroland family Metroland Durham Region Media Group has merged its 'Port Perry This Week' publication with the 'Port Perry Star.' The new and improved 'Port Perry Star' began publishing today and will publish Wednesdays and Fridays, bringing bringing the best in local news, sports, entertainment entertainment and advertising. For many years, Tim Whittaker, Metroland Durham Region Media Group publisher, has admired the work of the staff, at the 'Port Perry Star.' Today he is happy to call them colleagues colleagues after years of being competitors. competitors. "What a wonderful opportunity we have to merge the efforts of two winning winning teams in order to provide Port Perry and the surrounding area with the best, community newspaper possible," said Mr. Whittaker. "The Metroland Durham Region Media Group is proud to welcome the 'Port Perry Star' to the family, and we look forward to continuing continuing to serve our readers for many years to come." "I am delighted with Metroland's acquisition acquisition of the 'Port Perry Star,"' added Murray D. Skinner, President of Metroland Printing, Publishing and Dis tributing Ltd. "The 'Star' has been Port Perry's local paper of record for more than a century, and has long been of interest interest to Metroland. Now as part of the group of award-winning community newspapers, the 'Port Perry Star' will provide Metroland with the opportunity to improve services to our readers and advertisers." . Don MacLeod, the final independent owner of the 'Star,' was proud of the work he and his staff accomplished in his 10 years with the newspaper. "Owning the 'Port Perry Star' was one of the greatest experiences of my life," says Mr. MacLeod. "I enjoyed many success with the staff, a lot of good times, and probably the most important important thing in my life, is the knowledge knowledge I gained over the past 10 years with the paper. That knowledge has been invaluable." Eije Canadian Statesman CLARINGTON THIS WEEK Please note that any Classified Ad, Stories, Milestones. Letters to the Editor may be dropped off at: 91 Baseline Road, West Bowmanville Mon.-Fri. 10-6 p.m. Sat. 10-4 p.m. Like one of our CANADA'S LARGEST FASHION FABRIC DISTRIBUTOR SPRING & SUMMER FASHION CLEARANCE THURSDAY,JULY 29-SUNDAY, AU6.1 BUY 1 METER f # mmmm (AT REG. PRICE) X /M LULL OFF SAME BOLT, FULL METERS ONLY HUGE SELECTION OF FABRICS TO CHOOSE FROM INCLUDING COTTONS AND COTTON BLENDS, PLAIN & PRINT POLYESTERS AND MORE! reprint that while the 12-member squad was together, it was not the target of an inordinate inordinate number of complaints from the public. Nor were officers targeted for PSA charges or queries by the Special Special Investigations Unit, he said. Those assertions were confirmed by the chief. "Where's the problem?" the former DEU cop asked. Bernie O'Brien, an Oshawa lawyer who represents former DEU boss Detective Detective Tom Andrews, continues to question the legitimacy of the parallel probe undertaken by Durham police. "It seems to me it's unwarranted," Mr. O'Brien said. "Why don't they look at their best business practices and change what needs to be changed? To me, it's just redundant. "I don't know if they're fishing for charges, but the thing that's disturbing is the effect it has on the morale of the police service," Mr. O'Brien said. Durham Regional Police Association Association President Doug Cavanaugh said the union has retained lawyers to represent represent members called in for inter see er at jon.com views on PSA charges. He said there's little the union can do but let both the internal investigation and the OPP probe run their courses. "Our job is to protect the welfare and the well-being of our members," Mr. Cavanaugh said. "We have expressed our position that if there are going to be interviews, we want to be given a substantial heads-up so we can represent our members ... whether it be by counsel, or association board members." Mr. Selby said the 12 officers being investigated for possible misconduct haven't been charged under the PSA. "They're primary officers in the investigation, investigation, which means allegations may potentially lead to charges under the Police Services Act," he said. "(But) just because you're a primary primary officer doesn't mean you will be charged." Six officers -- an inspector and five investigators --- have been assigned to review DEU files, Mr. Selby said. They're about 80 per cent of the way through those files, he said. 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