Andrew Duffy

Police chief disciplined in Whitehead, Junger cases

The chief later read a statement, accepting responsibility for mistakes made during the internal probes and apologizing for them. He also announced that six senior officers have been disciplined in connection with the two cases, the penalties ranging form a reprimand to three days' pay.

"I accept fully the direction and counselling of the board," McCormack said, adding it's time now -- after three years of controversy -- to "get on with police work."

A provincial inquiry last September issued a scathing report, known as the Junger/Whitehead report, that denounced the police handling of internal investigations. It accused the force of placing expediency ahead of principle in signing a deal that purported to destroy evidence in return for an officer's quit resignation.

Police board chairperson Susan Eng said the force has entered "a new era of accountability" through its response to the Junger/Whitehead report.

In April, 1990, The Star revealed that Junger, 31, a nine-year police veteran, signed a deal with police that purported to drop criminal charges in return for his resignation. He was accused of running an escort service and being in possession of hashish.

In the second case, Jane Doe (an alias), a former prostitute, complained to internal affairs in November, 1989, alleging that Sergeant Brian Whitehead extorted sexual favors from her by threatening her with arrest. After an internal investigation, Whitehead pleaded guilty to police act charges and was demoted to constable.

McCormack said yesterday he has imposed informal discipline measures against six police officers involved in the two cases:

Superintendent Ed Hill, former head of internal affairs, and Detective Sergeant James Shannon and Inspector Roy Pilkington, internal affairs inspectors, assessed three days off without pay in the Junger case.

Superintendent Aiden Maher admonished for failing to ensure that the chief saw the Junger resignation deal before it was signed.

Staff Inspector Alan Griffiths, a trials officer , admonished for failing to ensure that Jane Doe's identity was protected.

Detective Sergeant Donald Caisse, an internal affairs investigator, reprimanded for failing to complete an arrest report on Whitehead.

Three of the six officers disciplined yesterday -- Hill, Maher and Pilkington -- have been promoted since the Junger and Whitehead cases first came to light in 1989.