Chief makes threat

Vancouver police chief faces investigation

Thu Jul 27, 1:50 PM

Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation by the Police Complaints Commissioner for leaving a used target practice sheet with bullet holes through the head of the silhouette on the desk of the city manager.

The chief had written on the sheet: "A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."

The incident happened last month and city manager Judy Rogers was concerned enough to complain to Mayor Sam Sullivan, who then took the issue to the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.

Deputy complaints commissioner Bruce Brown says he has begun a preliminary investigation of the incident, which could lead to a full inquiry.

Graham has issued a written statement saying, "the original gesture was made with only the most positive of intentions" and says he has apologized to Rogers.

Chief investigated Sullivan

The mayor says that since Graham has apologized in writing, the city police board, which he chairs, doesn't plan to take any action against the chief.

This is not the first incident involving Graham to strain relations with city hall.

Last year, in the middle of the mayor's successful election campaign, Graham asked the RCMP to investigate Sullivan after he admitted to helping people buy illegal drugs while a city councillor.

Journalist Allen Garr, who was tipped off about the incident last week, said he thinks this latest situation could be political payback.

"All of a sudden, there's this misstep, something from Jamie, so Sam's on it."

He also thinks this could be Sullivan's way to keep Graham's power in check.

"Sam has said, 'I want more control over this police board than mayors have had in the past. I want a more transparent, a more efficient, more responsible police board.' "

Police humour backfired, says criminologist

A criminologist at Simon Fraser University says the incident is likely a tempest in a teapot, steeped in politics.

No, its a clear threat of intimidation by a "Chief" of a law enforcement agency, against an elected civil servant..... This is a criminal offence under the criminal code of Canada. You would think a criminologist would have heard about the criminal code, and would understand common law, wouldn't you? Wouldn't the head of a police force also know the criminal code, or is that an unfair question?
264.1(1) Uttering Threats - Every one commits an offence who, in any manner, knowingly utters, conveys or causes any person to receive a threat
(a) to cause death or bodily harm to any person;
Perhaps city manager Judy Rogers should consider a private prosecution of Jamie Graham?

Rob Gordon says the incident illustrates the culture of policing, which uses black humour and pranks to build morale.

Uses "black humour" to build morale? What do the police use to build a case, black magic?

"Clearly what you got here is a clash of two worlds mingled, I think, with some city hall politics."

Gordon thinks it's just a case of Graham's bullet-riddled prank backfiring on him.

"He's apologized for it, and I'm a little baffled as to why the issue would be taken any further, unless the offended party is being deliberately offended in order to score points."

CBC Photo: Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation by the Police Complaints Commissioner for leaving bullet holed target on desk of city worker...

CHIEF'S WRITTEN STATEMENT

The following written statement was issued by Chief Constable Jamie H. Graham yesterday....

Questions were raised in the media today about an exchange between myself and City Manager Judy Rogers.

Only because it has been raised in the media I feel it is important to let the public know what happened.

On June 30th, I placed one of my old shooting targets from the range on Ms. Rogers desk with a note saying "A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."

This saying is similar to the "I'd rather be fishing" bumper sticker.

When I later learned that this gesture had caused some concern, I apologized to Ms. Rogers verbally and in writing.

The original gesture was made with only the most positive of intentions and I regret any confusion it may have caused.

Jamie H. Graham

Chief Constable

So why leave it on HER desk?

This he forgets to mention, and it is the key to the whole matter...... Clearly the city manager was "concerned enough to complain to Mayor Sam Sullivan" , so we can rule out any previous "black humour" antics by the Chief... It was a target with BULLET HOLES in it folks.... what do you think the message was?

We obtained a copy of that exact target, so you can judge for yourself.... Note six bullet holes to head area....

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Chief's range-target incident won't face inquiry

VANCOUVER POLICE I Complaints commissioner decides against investigation into Jamie Graham controversy

Chad Skelton

Vancouver Sun

Saturday, August 05, 2006

CREDIT: Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun

Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham is clearly remorseful for leaving the target, according to the police complaints commissioner.

B.C. Police Complaints Commissioner Dirk Ryneveld announced Friday he will not be launching an investigation into Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham for placing a bullet-riddled shooting target on city manager Judy Rogers' desk.

"I am satisfied that a formal investigation would not likely shed any further light on this matter," Ryneveld said in a written statement. "I will leave this matter in the capable hands of the Vancouver police board to resolve as the chief's employer."

Graham left the shooting target on Rogers' desk on June 30 with the hand-written note, "A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."

Rogers was offended by the target and went to Mayor Sam Sullivan with her concerns.

Graham has since apologized for his actions Ryneveld said one of the main reasons he decided not to launch an investigation is that Rogers never lodged a complaint with his office.

"Ms. Rogers has made it clear to our office that she never intended to make a formal complaint, and although she understands that she is permitted by the statute to make a formal complaint, she has no interest in so doing," Ryneveld wrote. "She did not envisage this matter as anything other than an internal employer-employee issue."

Ryneveld notes in his statement that Graham has given conflicting explanations for why he put the target on Rogers' desk.

Former mayor Larry Campbell told The Vancouver Sun that Graham told him the target was meant as a joke.

But in a July 24 e-mail to Rogers and others, Graham wrote the target "was never intended as a gag or a joke in any way", instead saying it was "a motivator, a silent reminder that this job is not always office meetings and budget discussions."

However, regardless of his motivations, Ryneveld noted Graham is clearly remorseful.

"Chief Graham has apologized personally and publicly to Ms. Rogers for his actions," he wrote. "He has given explanations to her and to the media for his conduct. He has expressed deep regret for his actions."

No one was available from the Vancouver police Friday to comment on Ryneveld's decision.

A call to Ryneveld's office was not returned.

cskelton@png.canwest.com

Nobody was available to comment? Maybe they were all out "raising their morale" with a good old fashioned cross burning and beating? All in good humour that is......