Pubdate: Wed, 04 Oct 2006
Source: Mississauga News (CN ON)
Copyright: The Mississauga News 2006
Contact:  http://www.mississauganews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268
Author: Louie Rosella

PEEL POLICE OFFICER LOSES BID TO GET JOB BACK

(Mississauga) - A former Peel Regional Police officer recently fired 
for importing an illegal drug into Canada through Pearson 
International Airport (PIA) has lost his bid to get his job back.

It was reported to Peel's Police Services Board this week that the 
Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services turned down the appeal 
of Ahmed Ali Hassan, 39, who worked for the force for five years 
before being dismissed on May 30, 2005.

Hassan, who worked for Waterloo Regional Police for four years before 
taking the Peel job in 2000, was considered "an ideal officer," and 
was featured on the force's recruitment posters.

A commission panel ruled his firing was an appropriate disciplinary measure.

"Cst. Hassan is a junior officer who knowingly committed serious 
misconduct. He did so in the presence of his children and in the 
jurisdiction where he was employed," stated commission Chair Murray 
Chitra in her ruling.

Hassan pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2003 to possession of a controlled 
substance in relation to an incident on Jan. 25, 2002, when a Customs 
officer discovered more than 200 grams of the illegal drug Khat in 
Hassan's luggage. Hassan was returning with his family from Kenya.

Khat is a mild narcotic derived from tree shoots that are chewed much 
like tobacco for a stimulant-like effect.

It is a popular social drug, much like alcohol, in East Africa, but 
Health Canada officials have classified it as a mood-altering amphetamine.

Hassan was given a conditional discharge and 12 months probation by 
Justice Bruce Durno.

Hassan also pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct under the Police 
Services Act for "the importation of Khat," and was found guilty by 
the hearing officer, Peel Supt. Roman Boychuk, of corrupt practice 
for "identifying himself to Customs officers as a police officer in 
order to effect a personal advantage," according to a statement 
released by the commission.

In May 2005, Boychuk ordered Hassan be dismissed.

"The public and the (police) Service have a right to expect that 
police officers will not abuse the position of their office for 
personal advantage ," Boychuk said in his ruling, noting that Hassan 
lied to police about how the drugs got into his luggage, and tried to 
use his status as a police officer to "avoid Customs scrutiny."

"The penalty imposed must be strong enough to send a clear message 
that such conduct will not be tolerated."

Hassan and his lawyer, Julie Stanchieri, launched an appeal this 
year, saying the penalty of dismissal was "unduly harsh given the 
totality of the circumstances," according to the commission's ruling.

Stanchieri told the commission her client was remorseful and is a

"highly-moralistic, religious and honest man."

Stanchieri asked the panel to demote Hassan instead of ruling his 
dismissal was justified.

"Ms. Stanchieri argued that Cst. Hassan's potential usefulness to the 
police service hasn't extinguished, particularly given his ability to 
reach out to both the Somali and Muslim communities," stated Chitra's 
ruling. "She suggested that his actions, while reprehensible did not 
demonstrate the serious lack of moral judgment necessary for dismissal."

However, the panel ruled Hassan deserved to be fired.

"He was found guilty of three counts of misconduct, (including) 
corrupt practice. This is one of the most serious charges in the 
code, and represents a substantial breach of trust both with the 
public and the (police) Service," Chitra said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine