Police Board Seeks Motion to Dismiss Civil Suit

(BRAMPTON)– (December 11, 2007) – Emil Kolb, Chair, today issued the following statement on behalf of the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board in response to the civil suit filed by Steve Dolan, on October 18, 2007.

Late last week, counsel for the Board, Mr. Eugene Mazzuca, put forward a motion to dismiss the civil suit filed in the Ontario Court on October 18, 2007 by Steve Dolan an Inspector with the Peel Police Service. The Board is seeking a dismissal on the basis that the allegations contained in the Dolan claim are without basis or merit and have, in the past, been found by the Board to be frivolous and vexatious.

Simply put, in our view this civil action is first and foremost a media release to advance Inspector Dolan’s personal interests. Our motion to dismiss reveals that the allegations were first raised in the context of a meeting during which Inspector Dolan’s legal representative sought, on his client’s behalf, a retirement settlement equivalent to 11 years of salary, or approximately $1.2 million.

Set out below are some facts in this matter:

• It was Chief M. Metcalf who first compelled Inspector Dolan to report to a senior officer in Internal Affairs to fully account for all information he had in his possession concerning alleged wrong doing by members of the Peel Regional Police Service;
• Immediately thereafter, it was Chief Metcalf who brought Inspector Dolan’s allegations against the Chief to the Board’s attention, as is the appropriate procedure, in early February of 2007. The Board immediately sought independent counsel to advise on process. It followed that process in having Inspector Dolan’s claims thoroughly reviewed and in March, 2007, it dismissed the allegations as being frivolous and vexatious;
• Allegations made against other members of the police service were then investigated under the authority of Chief Metcalf. Most of the allegations concerned incidents that had occurred many years prior. All were found to be without merit and many were malicious in nature;
• As an example, it had been alleged that a domestic assault involving a former senior officer had been “covered-up”. In fact, the matter was investigated by Peel Regional Police; charges were laid by the PRP and eventually withdrawn by a Crown Attorney in Halton Region;
• In his own domestic assault charge laid by the Peterborough Police, Inspector Dolan had alleged interference by Peel Regional Police in the criminal process. In fact, the Peterborough Police Service have confirmed that Chief Metcalf at no time made any comments regarding the investigative process and did not influence that police service in any way in the criminal process. The Crown Attorney assigned to the case confirmed that there was absolutely no interference at any time in the criminal proceedings, nor was any complaint of interference in any aspect of the defence ever brought to his attention.

Legal counsel for the Peel Police Service, Chief Metcalf and the two senior officers have sought the earliest possible Court date to hear the motion to dismiss.

The Board continues to have full confidence in Chief Metcalf and his senior management team. It is deeply disturbing that individuals can use the civil process to make false statements which have the potential to cause enormous damage to the reputations of all dedicated members of the police service and to the organization itself.

For further information: Frederick Biro, Executive Director 905-458-1340.