Beaton still after website attackers
By Linda Slobodian
May 07, 2005
Embattled Calgary police Chief Jack Beaton is not giving on up his pursuit to out his critics.
"I'm still proceeding with the civil process," said Beaton, who spoke out for the first time since he settled a lawsuit that led to a payment of $5,000 and an apology from two people over their participation in the website that attacked his leadership. "It takes time to track down the data on who was involved," said Beaton Friday, in reference to information on a computer seized last month from the home of Jann Vahey and her husband, Rene Fisher.
Beaton expects to know "soon" who else may have been involved.
Calgary Const. Taufiq Shah has since come forward claiming to be the only officer behind the Standfirm website. "He's the only one who ever came forward -- one in 2,200," said Beaton. "He could be the only one. If it's as simple as that, then it will be over." Beaton declined to comment on Shah's revelation, saying it is an "employer/employee issue."
The website called the chief "a bad apple" and listed instances of alleged misconduct by unnamed officers that went uninvestigated or unpunished. The defunct website alleged sworn officers and civilian employees were involved, noted Beaton.
Shah said his main concern is to protect the anonymity of police officers who e-mailed the website. "The ramifications of officers' being found out writing to the website are enormous," said Shah.
Shah has been on long-term disability since March 2003.
Meanwhile, the results of a six-question, mini employee survey show morale is up at the CPS.
The voluntary survey -- to which 788 of the service's 2,200 sworn and civilian employees responded -- is part of a three-year business plan.
Some 78 per cent of respondents said they would recommend CPS as an employer to a friend.
© Calgary Herald 2005