Police Misconduct, Brutality and Use of Force in Canada - 2000

A disproportionate number of homeless and mentally ill individuals, as well as members of racial and ethnic minorities, are victims of police abuse and brutality ranging from verbal epithets to unwarranted searches to beatings and killings. - Amnesty International

Carlton Watson Aged 39. On or around December 9, 2000, Carlton Watson, an eight-year Peel police officer was arrested and charged with theft under $5000. for the theft of goods from a local Home Depot.

Joni-Ann Bender On or around December 4, 2000, Joni-Ann Bender, a veteran Toronto police officer accused of padding her court overtime has become the city’s 25th officer charged this year with a crime. Never in the Toronto Police Services 43-year history have so many officers faced serious criminal allegations, including manslaughter, sexual assault, robbery, fraud and breach of trust. On December 4, 2000, police announced they had laid 27 counts of breach of trust against Const. Joni-Ann Bender, a 14-year veteran of the force, working out of the city’s west end. In essence, police allege the officer made more money from court appearances than she should have. Bender was among 39 employees out of 7,000 on the force who made more than $100,000 in 1998. That income level is usually confined to senior brass.

John Schertzer, Steven Correia, Sean McGuinness, James Leslie, Jonathan Reid, Raymond Pollard, Jaroslaw Cieslik, Joseph Miched On or around November 22, 2000, John Schertzer, Steven Correia, Sean McGuinness, James Leslie, Jonathan Reid, Raymond Pollard, Jaroslaw Cieslik, Joseph Miched, all members of the Toronto Police Services faced criminal charges involving the misappropriation of police funds used in drug investigations. The eight - all former members of Central Field Command Drug Squad - were charged on November 22, 2000 and suspended from duty with pay. The fact that eight officers - all from the drug squad - have been charged could possibly affect the outcome of many more cases, including those that have ended in convictions. The officers are to appear in court at old city hall on Jan. 11.

Michel Garneau On or around November 14, 2000, Michel Garneau, a Montreal police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man admitted he may have used his firearm improperly. Michel Garneau made a brief appearance at a police ethics commission hearing. Garneau shot and killed 23-year-old Martin Suazo as he lay face down in the middle of a major thoroughfare during an arrest in May 1995. No criminal charges were laid against Garneau after the Crown decided it lacked evidence to prove negligence. Suazo was shot in the neck at point-blank range as he lay on the street, unarmed, after a police chase.

Serge Lefevbre On or around November 6, 2000, Serge Lefevbre, a former police officer who killed two Quebec City constables has won the right to a hearing for early release from prison. Serge Lefevbre was a sergeant with the police force in suburban Ste-Foy when he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the killings of constables Yves Tetu and Jacques Giguere in 1985. The officers were slain investigating a warehouse robbery.

Robert Doig On or around October 25, 2000, Robert Doig, a retired Saskatoon city police sergeant burst into grateful tears after a judge found him not guilty of impersonating a police officer, although she warned him his case was "on the edge."Doig retired in 1999 after a 29-year career with the Saskatoon police. He was charged in March 2000 after Sharon Cunningham, the executive director of women’s shelter Interval House, told police Doig showed up at the shelter last winter and gained entry by showing her his police badge, when he had infact retired.

Chris Leahey On or around October 25, 2000, a Calgary police constable Const. Craig Coughlan testified that he saw a fellow officer, Chris Leahey slap in the head suspect, Jeffery MacDonald, then kick him in the stomach twice. When MacDonald was kicked in the stomach he yelled he couldn’t breathe. Leahey, 28, is charged with assault causing bodily harm involving MacDonald, who was in custody after a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

Rob Lemaitre and Phil Duncan and Nam Le and Felipo Bevilacqua On or around October 25, 2000, Consts. Rob Lemaitre, Phil Duncan, Nam-Nhat Le and Filippo Bevilacqua were charged for their roles in the Aug. 9 death of 55-year-old Toronto realtor Otto Vass. The officers were part of a violent early-morning takedown outside a west-end 7-Eleven store where Vass, a father of five, suffered fatal injuries consistent with a severe beating.

Jean-Francois Cloutier. On or around October 24, 2000, Jean-Francois Cloutier, a constable who filed a false accident report to protect the daughter of a fellow police officer has been suspended without pay for eight days. Committee head Gilles Migneault said that by filing the false report Cloutier had "failed to meet the requirements of honesty, justice and morals and put his professional integrity in question."

Elan Ohayon On or around October 20, 2000, Elan Ohayon, an anti-poverty/anti-homelessness advocate, doctoral studies student and student governor at the University of Toronto was aggressively arrested and assaulted by the police for sleeping in Allen Gardens. Elan was protesting the government's obvious lack of commitment to addressing homelessness and poverty. The Public Safety Unit of The Toronto Police Services charged Elan Ohayon with resisting arrest and assaulting police. Homelessness and poverty are human rights issues that deserves support, not criminalization of anti-poverty/anti-homelessness advocates.

Richard C. Grant On or around October 17, 2000, Richard C. Grant a Toronto police constable have been chargedwith theft and posessing property obtained by crime.

Arthur Ronald Jordan On or around October 2000, Arthur Ronald Jordan a 26-year police veteran and a private investigator have been charged following a probe by a police internal affairs bureau. Peel Regional Police said an officer released confidential police files for payment and also blocked the processing of traffic tickets. Constable Arthur Ronald Jordan, 52, of Brampton, west of Toronto, faces charges of obstructing justice, breach of trust and accepting a bribe. Joel Rosenberg, 52, of Ancaster, a licensed private investigator, has also been charged.

Norman John Groot Aged 34 Norman Groot joined the Peel Regional Police as a constable in 1985. Seven years later, he was convicted of smashing a handcuffed prisoner's head against a desk hard enough to break off a corner of the desktop. He remains on suspension with pay from the Peel force. Groot arrested Patrick Groom, a Toronto-area printer, in December, 1990, for allegedly breaking into a police officer's car. Mr. Groom was handcuffed and led to an interview room where his head was smashed into a desk. Ten wood chips were removed from a gash in his forehead and he required 15 stitches. Last February, Groot was sentenced to time served -- he spent three days behind bars -- and placed on probation for 18 months. He must perform 60 hours of community service. In October 2000, Groot qualified to practise law after the Law Society of Upper Canada deemed him a person of "good character.".

Frank Hutterer 35 years old. Shot to death by Ottawa area Police on October 4, 2000 who responded to a domestic violence call against Mr. Hutterer.

Women's Fundraiser Visited by Toronto Police On or around September 15, 2000, Five male officers raid a women-only bathhouse, staying for almost two hours and charging two organizers with six liquor violations days later. Councillor Kyle Rae faces a defamation suit over his criticism of police involved in the raid.

Three Chatam area teenagers Age 16, 17 and 17. On or around September 3, 2000, three teenagers died and three others injured after a high-speed chase by native police near Strathroy early yesterday. Related News Story.

Perry Hoover 38 years old. Shot and injured on August 31, 2000 by Ottawa area police who responded to a domestic violence call against Mr. Hoover.

Otto Vass Aged 55. On August 9, 2000 , police responded to a call from a 7-Eleven Food Store near West Downtown Toronto and escorted Otto Vass out of the store. Witness alleged that police suddenly started beating Mr. Vass, who died on the scene. SIU investigation confirms that the four subject officers are Rob Lemaitre and Phil Duncan and Nam Le and Felipo Bevilacqua. The four subject officers were charged with manslaughter in the death of Otto Vass. Related Story with picture of Vass body from the death scene.

James Davidson Aged 19. Alleged that on July 25, 2000, Ottawa area police kicked him repeatedly in the head and ribs, briefly knocking him unconscious. See Related News Story.

Sebastian McNicoll July 18 died in hospital after being pepper sprayed by police during an alleged burglary. News Story.

Luc Aubert Aged 43. July 16, 2000 pepper sprayed by 4 MUC police officers. Aubert, who suffered from asthma, was sprayed after ambulance technicians, responding to a call that he had taken a fit, called MUC police for help. Soon after he was sprayed, he died of apparent cardiac arrest.

Murphy Browne On July 8, 2000, Murphy Browne was attacked and assaulted by a police officer in St. Jamestown in Toronto. Community members attended a rally to protest this action by the police. A complaint has been filed against the police by Ms. Browne.

Keith Davis On June 22, 2000, a long serving Toronto Police Officer Keith Davis was charged with sexually assaulting two female prisoners.

Robert Boucher On or around 2000, Toronto Police Constable Robert Boucher was charged criminally with mischief and theft. Officer Boucher also appeared before the Toronto Police Tribunal for 'revenge and intimidation' tactics against a colleague who he was assigned responsibility for training. He plead guilty to three charges of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. This resulted in his demotion to the rank of second-class constable.

Daren Arsenault On April 17, 2000, Toronto Police Constable Daren Arsenault was placed on 18 months' probation assaulting a deliveryman he'd mistaken for a homosexual. He was convicted of assault and threatening death. Constable Arsenault was fined $500 and told to write a note to the victim apologizing for his misconduct.

Richard Staley On March 16, 2000, Toronto's 53 Division Police Richard Staley faced breach-of-trust charges along with careless storage of ammunition.

Darin Cooper On March 10, 2000, Toronto Police Constable Darin Cooper was arrested along with six civilians after police raids uncover guns, cash, drugs and cars. The seven face charges including attempted murder, breach of trust, armed robbery and conspiracy.

Stuart Mitchell On February 20, 2000, this man died three weeks after he alleged that the police had assaulted him and jumped on his chest following an encounter with police in the Parliament and Wellesley area of Toronto.

Darrell Night Aged 33. On January 28, 2000, Darrell Night, an Aboriginal man alleged that Saskatoon City Police detained him, then took him to Saskatoon's outskirts and dumping him coatless into the winter night.

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