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2004 September 23 |
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Attention: Honourable Heather Forsyth, Solicitor General |
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Dear Solicitor General Forsyth: |
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I have a genuine responsibility to the members of the Calgary Police Service and to the citizens of Calgary. Consequently, I direct this correspondence to your attention. Members of the Calgary Police Service are aware of the after described incident that demonstrates alcohol abuse continues to be a problem within the Calgary Police Service. The practice of conveniently ignoring the problem for reasons of political expediency is an issue that should be properly addressed before further tragedy and unnecessary death occurs. I refer to the tragic death of Constable Brian Hanson, wherein Hanson, after leaving a Traffic Section Unit party, hosted by the Traffic Section Sergeant, was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident that also claimed the lives of two young Calgary citizens. Investigations determined that Hanson was impaired by alcohol and well in excess of the legal limit of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident. Notwithstanding the aforementioned tragedy the Calgary Police Service continues to place members and citizens at risk by failing to address the issue of alcohol abuse in a responsible fashion. The following incident not only demonstrates a lack of prudence and due diligence, but also a total lack of responsibility and accountability. The Traffic Section Staff Sergeant, operating a Calgary Police Service vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drives to the scene of an injury accident. Enroute to the injury accident scene the Staff Sergeant is involved in a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival at the scene of the injury accident, Investigators observe that the Staff Sergeant is impaired by alcohol to operate a motor vehicle. The opinion formed by the Investigators prompted the Investigators to contact the Headquarters Duty Inspector for authority to take the appropriate action. The Headquarters Duty Inspector contacted a Deputy Chief for direction in the matter. The Deputy Chief contacted the Investigators and ordered the Investigators not to take any action. Justice, and the spirit and intent of the law, was obstructed for reasons of political expediency on this occasion. The citizens of Calgary have a rightful expectation of a greater standard of integrity from the Calgary Police Service. The problems of alcohol abuse and the associated issues of responsibility and accountability cannot be addressed within the community until these issues are addressed within the Calgary Police Service. Failing to take the appropriate action in the aforementioned incident, the Calgary Police Service committed a serious breach of public trust. I respectfully request that the Office of the Solicitor General for the Province of Alberta investigate the aforementioned incident and take the appropriate action to make the Calgary Police Service accountable to the citizens of Calgary. I request that the Solicitor General employ the integrity and authority of the Office of the Solicitor General to facilitate an investigation into these matters by another law enforcement agency such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. |
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Respectfully yours, Tim Goodwin |
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cc: Attorney General Canada Suzanne Wilton, Calgary Herald Editor, Calgary Sun Calgary Police Association Calgary Police Commission Police Federation, c/o John Netelenbos M.A.D.D. Jack Beaton, Chief of Police |
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