Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Page: A5 Copyright: 2004, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Jane Armstrong VICTIM'S HEAD KICKED 'LIKE A SOCCER BALL' VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver police chief's report on the beating of three suspected drug dealers in Stanley Park portrays a far more vicious police attack than earlier depicted, including a description of an officer kicking a victim's head "like a soccer ball." The 100-page report, written by Chief Jamie Graham, provides a raft of new details, including statements that suggest the attack was planned, even not out of the ordinary. The beating eventually led him to fire two officers and suspend four others. The report's key statements came from a young recruit, Constable Troy Peters, who watched the violence from the hood of a police cruiser, then later turned whistle blower. His statements were given to internal affairs and a Crown attorney in the criminal case. At one point after the attack, Constable Peters said, Constable Gabriel Kojima turned to him and said, "Now, that was the shit you signed up for." Constable Kojima was among two officers ordered fired this week by Chief Graham. Chief Graham said it was Constable Peters's testimony that prompted him to take the action he did. He described the officer's statements as compelling and reliable. Yesterday, deputy police chief Bob Rich again praised Constable Peters for coming forward to report the assault. He said the officer is back at work, intent on getting on with his career. "Constable Peters did what we expect every police officer to do in this circumstance, and, like other police officers that have to face these difficult decisions and return to their job, he has been very successful." Asked whether his colleagues bore any grudges against the constable, deputy chief Rich replied: "I haven't been with Constable Peters every moment of his life, but my best understanding is . . . no, there have been no repercussions. He works in patrol as any young, new officer would." However, the deputy chief said he would think twice about assigning Constable Peters to work alongside the suspended officers when they return. "We're not about to put them in the same car tomorrow . . . if that's what you're asking." The chief's report paints the Stanley Park beating as astomach-turning attack that escalated with each punch thrown. It is far stronger than the facts agreed to by the six charged officers who pleaded guilty to assault charges in a plea bargain last year. The incident began in downtown Vancouver when police picked up four suspected drug dealers, three men and a woman, and arrested them for breach of peace. They dropped the woman outside the sprawling downtown park, then drove the men to a remote parking lot near a beach. According to Constable Peters's statement, one officer -- Constable Kojima - -- warned a suspect beforehand that he was going to "kick the shit out of him." Constable Peters reported that the officers pulled the men out of the van one by one, punched and kicked them, shone flashlights in their eyes and screamed threatening insults. At one point Constable Ray Gardner asked Constable Peters whether he was "all right with this" and that if he needed to go sit in the police car no one would take offence. At another point, Constable Kojima shone his flashlight in Jason Desjardins's face and the rest of the officers lit into the man with punches. "He fell to the ground after numerous strikes," Constable Peters said in a statement to the Crown prosecutor. Constable Kojima kicked him in the head and Mr. Desjardins grimaced in pain. "I remember him kind of kicking his head around similar to what a young kid would do with a soccer ball in between his feet," Constable Peters said. Finally, just before the final assault, Constable James Kenney turned to Constable Peters and suggested that "maybe I should take a walk, because, uh, this one is going to be the ugliest of the three." By this point, the officers were "getting more intense . . . getting agitated . . . up on the balls of their feet." Constable Peters waited five days before he reported the attack. The firings and suspensions have met with mixed reaction in Vancouver, a city plagued with drug-related crimes. Many callers to radio talk shows supported the six officers. Others said they shouldn't have been fired. The chief's decision is not final. His recommendations must be reviewed by the B.C. Police Complaint Commissioner. After reviewing the evidence, the commissioner has many options of his own, including confirming the penalties or calling a public inquiry. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom