A Veteran Toronto police officer says he supports a call by defense lawyers for a public inquiry into the
Toronto police force because the force is rife with systemic corruption.
In an interview with CBC Radio News and the Toronto Sun, Sgt. Jim Cassells said police brass have covered
up, refused to investigate, or buried cases of alleged police brutality, public complaints and internal corruption for years.
"I'm an experienced person, I've got 30 years on the job, and I've seen some fiddle faddle go on."
Cassells, a police officer for the past 29 years and a key investigator on an RCMP-led special task force
into the city drug squad, was charged with one count of misconduct last month under the Police Services Act after he talked
to a Toronto Star reporter.
Cassells said he has watched police supervisors turn a blind eye to many cases involving officers. Know
for being outspoken, Cassells has had the tough job of investigating other officers and said he felt it was time to speak
out even though he knows he risks losing his job.
He said he has seen "numerous cases minimized, for simple terms swept under the carpet," and "complaints
against police not being processed" and "allegations of assault not being investigated fully."
In addition to a public inquiry, he said an arm's-length review is needed of how the Toronto police force
investigates wrongdoing within its own ranks.
Cassells said he detailed many of his concerns to the superintendent of the force's professional standards branch.
He said he also complained to former Chief Julian Fantino and John Neilly, the RCMP chief superintendent who headed the drug
squad probe.
"You know, I told Chief Fantino, I told Supt. Neilly that i wasn't happy with my experience
at the special task force. I told them in writing. I refused an award given to every member of the special task force
by the chief."
Cassells said no one ever followed up on his complaints, not the professional standards branch, which is
charged with internal investigations, and not the chief.
But Cassells would not divulge details about specific cases and declined to talk about the investigation
into the drug squad, saying he does not want to put ongoing prosecutions at risk.
Toronto police internal prosecuters have charged Cassells with misconduct, claiming he is alleged to have
communicated some information about the police force to the media without proper authority.
Cassells said he is looking forward to a disciplinary hearing next week.
"I'm not looking to avoid a prosecution under the Police Services Act. In fact, I welcome it as an opportunity
to say it publicly. And if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I'm not going to be a person who, after retirement, comes out with all
kinds of stories and allegations. I'm not that kind of policeman."
