This is just a small sampling of clips from one of the department's most loyal supporters - Vancouver Television (CTV).

An investigation is underway into the shooting of a 36-year-old mentally-ill man by a Vancouver police officer.

The man was killed Saturday night after police were called to a home on Fremlin Street.  Police say the man grabbed a large knife and started acting irrationally.   A tazer was used, but with no effect.  When the man got too close to an officer, he was shot dead.  Chief Constable Jamie Graham of Vancouver Police says: “Once they were at the residence attempting to diffuse this man, a number of techniques were used.  This fellow was tazered twice.   The tazer he was able to remove one of the darts.  On two occasions, I should say, and he exhibited a certain conduct with a knife that resulted in our officer using lethal force."

Three years ago, Vancouver Police began using non-lethal weapons to stun suspects rather than kill them.  The calls for tazer guns came after police shot and killed several mentally-ill people within a few months.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2003/08/news-20030804-04.htm

A watchdog group is calling for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the Vancouver Police Department. The Pivot Legal Society says the latest revelation that two officers may have lied under oath is just one more strike against the credibility of the city’s police detachment.

The latest allegations are yet another hit for the already shell -shocked Vancouver Police Department. Since Chief Jamie Graham took over a year ago, there have been several notable examples of questionable behaviour by officers. But the Chief says a few possible bad apples shouldn't tarnish the image of the 1200-member force.

But at least one group says these latest allegations will reflect badly on the force unless there's some sort of external review.

John Richardson speaks for Pivot, the legal society that compiled dozens of afadavits from people who swear they've been victims of police brutality on the Downtown East Side. Richardson says the latest allegations against the VPD reflect a larger problem.

The Stanley Park incident has six members facing criminal charges and a disciplinary hearing in October. In this latest case, a VPD officer applying to work for the Saanich Police apparently made some startling revelations about his behavior on the job.

The officer said he had provided false evidence on two points during a criminal trial. He also suggested that he had stored some seized property in his police locker, and that he'd over heard talk of police brutality. The officer is now suspended with pay, and another officer who gave evidence at the same trial has been reassigned to desk duty.

Those facts are to be determined in the course of an internal investigation. But Pivot thinks it will take more than that to restore public trust. Richardson points to the internal Guns and Roses investigation which cleared officers of using excessive force.

Police Chief Jamie Graham says an external review or independent inquiry isn't necessary. And he bristles at the suggestion there is a broader problem in the force.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2003/09/news-20030928-09.htm

Solicitor General, Rich Coleman, says he won't be calling a public inquiry into the Vancouver Police Department. He's responding to allegations that two officers may have lied under oath.

The Pivot legal group, which has documented dozens of cases of alleged brutality by the VPD, says an open inquiry is needed to get to the bottom of corruption and violence in the department.

Vancouver Police Chief, Jamie Graham, says an internal investigation will suffice. An earlier internal probe cleared several officers of using excessive force at the Guns and Roses riot. Six other officers are facing charges assaulting suspects in Stanley Park.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2003/09/news-20030929-03.htm

Residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside have given the city's police chief an earful of complaints at a town hall meeting. Speaker after speaker criticized police actions during the crackdown on crime in the area.

Some complained of police brutality, or lack of police training to deal with the mentally ill and drug addicted.

But Chief Jamie Graham told them Vancouver residents are spoiled in the quality of policing they receive. He also said he won't apologize for officers trying to stop people from openly selling drugs. Debra Mannette is one person who's happy with the police actions, saying she used to be threatened or assaulted in her neighbourhood about three times a week. Now Mannette says that's down to about once every six weeks.

Graham says the force is looking at creating a fifth police district to patrol the neighbourhood next year, if funding can be established.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2003/10/news-20031003-08.htm

In the wake of the Stanley Park six police scandal, we've learned it's not unusual for officers to work in BC with criminal records.

Four members of the VPD have been convicted of assault in the past. That added to the six rookie officers who pleaded guilty to the same charge Monday. New Westminster has one officer convicted of a crime and although they won't give numbers, the RCMP admits it has members convicted of assault and impaired driving. The Vancouver police union insists the decision to keep six officers on the payroll, after they pleaded guilty to assaulting three street people, is the right one.

BC 's Solicitor General doesn't think a public inquiry into the VPD is necessary. Vancouver police chief, Jamie Graham, will decide the fate of the six officers at a closed door meeting in January.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2003/11/news-20031127-04.htm

Six Vancouver Police officers convicted of assault go in front of a disciplinary hearing this morning to determine if they should be reassigned, suspended or even fired.

Police Chief, Jamie Graham, is conducting the hearing to decide if the officers will keep their jobs. Almost a year ago the men, dubbed "the Stanley Park six," picked up suspected drug dealers on Granville Street and assaulted them in Stanley Park. All pleaded guilty. Last month they were sentenced, but none received any jail time. Graham has ten days to decide if the men will stay on the force.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/01/news-20040115-01.htm

A new report has cleared the Vancouver police of charges of excessive force during a riot in 1998.

The clash occurred when protesters tried to storm the Hyatt Hotel where Prime Minister Chretien was speaking.

The report by the New Westminster police concluded the use of force was justified.

Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham says the report should finally put the issue to rest.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/03/news-20040318-05.htm

Vancouver police chief Jamie Graham says he was misquoted about the threat of terrorism in the city.

On his appearance on Bill Good's radio talk show on CKNW yesterday, Graham said Vancouver is a haven of terrorist activity.

His office has issued a statement saying Graham actually said Vancouver is a haven for a number of difficulties and issues that affect other parts of the world.

The statement adds there are no specific threats to the city but with recent acts like the bombing in Madrid, people should be vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Graham also repeated his aim to expand the police force's representation on a national security team.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/04/news-20040408-01.htm

Two Vancouver police officers found to have used unnecessary force during the Guns 'N' Roses riot will not be punished.

Police Chief Jamie Graham says he supports the ruling by an adjudicator with the Police Complaints Commission. The adjudicator said too much force was used in the police response, in which one man had his teeth knocked out, but he did not call for any discipline. Graham says the department regrets that two people were hurt but he agrees with the adjudicator's decision that the officer's actions were the result of a momentary lapse. He says both officers have unblemished records and a riot is an extremely stressful circumstance for any officer.

The riot occurred outside GM Place after a Guns `N' Roses concert was cancelled at the last moment in November of 2002.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/06/news-20040623-06.htm

Police in Vancouver have now confirmed that a man died in custody as the result of being shocked with a taser gun. Blood tests show 54-year old Robert Wayne Bagnall was high on cocaine and other drugs. This is the second taser death during an arrest in Vancouver in the last two months. Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham still defends the use of tasers.

Members of the schizophrenia society were also on hand at today's police briefing. They support the taser because they say it is a non-lethal weapon.  

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/07/news-20040723-01.htm

The sister of a man who died in police custody spent four years fighting to get answers. Julie Berg scored a victory this week when a Coroner's jury ruled her brother Jeff's death a homicide.   But instead of providing some closure, that ruling has sparked a new war of words between Berg and Vancouver Police.

Today Julie was back in the spotlight. She claims comments made by Vancouver’s police chief were irresponsible. She says Chief Jamie Graham is shifting the blame to the victim’s of police brutality.

Yesterday, Graham said those who knew Jeff Berg, also knew about his criminal behaviour and did nothing.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/08/news-20040814-03.htm

Vancouver's police chief is not stepping down, despite a call for his immediate resignation from the sister of a man who died in police custody.

Over the weekend, Julie Berg condemned comments made by Police Chief Jamie Graham about the death of her brother. After a coroner's jury ruled Berg's death a homicide, the chief congratulated the officer who arrested Berg the night he died.   Graham also said Berg was involved in violent home invasions and planning more.   The comments outraged Berg's sister but today the Vancouver Police Department says Graham stands by his statement.

Julie Berg has not ruled out a civil suit. A public inquiry into her brother's death is set for September 13th.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/08/news-20040816-08.htm

Canada's top cops are warning a biker war is looming in our province - and they're trying to stop it before it starts.   They've gathered in Vancouver looking for ways to put the brakes on the many criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Police say Canadians can do a lot to hit the bikers where it hurts.  

Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Dave Crane and Vancouver Police Chief Constable Jamie Graham are two police chiefs with one vision of a winning strategy in the fight against crime.

“Let me be absolutely clear. All outlaw motorcycle gangs are criminal organization and no amount of charity work or toy drives will change this fact,” says Crane.

[Hmmm... same could be said for corrupt police departments and politicians]

Tough talk from the outgoing chair of the national strategy to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs. At his side, the incoming chair, Vancouver's chief of police who fears BC is poised to be the next battleground in a gang turf war.

Graham says, “There are 14 chapters of the Bandidos in Washington State. The world president lives in Bellingham.   BC could be an easy mark for their criminal enterprises.”

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/08/news-20040821-01.htm

See other examples of this same Chief spreading fear and panic in effort to deflect criticism of his corrupt department's activities.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is meeting in Vancouver today where members will attend a seminar on the use of tasers.

The association's annual conference will also address the issue of greater access to Canadians' e-mail, Internet activity and other electronic records. The association will issue a public statement on so-called ``lawful access'' measures on Wednesday .

Police Chief Jamie Graham is the newly appointed chair of the national strategy to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs and will also speak on this issue. (BN)

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/08/news-20040823-04.htm

Vancouver’s Police Chief is defending his department’s budget over-expenditure of five million dollars.

Chief Jamie Graham says most of the extra money is going towards paying for overtime to make up for the department’s shortage of officers.

That's over and above the more than two million dollars the city gave the VPD to cover the costs of policing during late night bar hours and in the downtown east side.

Graham says Vancouver has problems that simply can’t be policed with the number of officers the department has now.

Under the Vancouver Charter and Police Act, the VPD is not allowed to go over budget.

City council will address the overruns on Tuesday.

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/displayresults.jsp?id=/news/stories/2004/10/news-20041029-06.htm

To bring you all up to date, the above mentioned "over-expenditure of five million dollars" is not at all the result of "unexpected expenditures", as hard to believe as that already is to accept. Rather it is in fact a continuation of a pattern of over-expenditure that saw this same "Chief" of the VPD spend more than three million more LAST YEAR than he was lawfully allowed under BOTH the Vancouver Charter AND Police Act.

[BC Revolution staff have now learned that this is in fact the NINTH year in a row they have over spent that allowed by statute and Charter]

Graham would have us believe that not only is this all an honest mistake, he is trying to claim a type of "hero status" in claiming the massive overspending was "for the protection of individuals"... Well at least the ones they weren't kicking the shi# out of, or beating to death, apparently.

It appears, however, that this money has been traced to (among other questionable things) an extra 30,000 dollars in "dry cleaning" expenses, brand new flat screen LCD monitors and other assorted computer and office equipment upgrades; including [BC Revolution staff were told] fancy leather recliners, a wide screen TV, and other "luxury items" too numerous to list.

The taxpayers in Vancouver may well wish to ask what critical role in "protecting the lives of the people of Vancouver" sparkling clean uniforms or brand new office chairs would provide?

Furthermore, how are we to believe the Chief that this over-expenditure of more than eight (8) MILLION over the last two successive budgets, is unexpected and unavoidable? Why did he spend money that both the Vancouver Charter, and provincial Police Act FORBIDS him from spending?

Wouldn't that make him and his organization "one of the largest criminal organizations" in BC? Just wondering?

Media Release
2004-11-16

Press Release from the Vancouver Police Board

The Vancouver Police Board and the Vancouver Police Department regret to announce that due to reorganization within the department, the Chief Administrative Officer, Jim Hudson, will be leaving the Vancouver Police Department. Mr.. Hudson has tendered his resignation and we have accepted.

The Department, like all organizations, has needs that change, and must remain flexible and adaptable to those needs as it moves towards its goal of being the best and most modern police department in Canada.

The Board and the Chief Constable are working to create a new position within the Department, reporting to the Chief Constable, that will bring focus on the development and implementation of financial policies and planning of the VPD.

The Board acknowledges the contributions made by Mr.. Hudson to the Department during his tenure and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

Contact: Vancouver Police Board Chair Mayor Larry Campbell  604-873-7410

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/media/Releases/041116.htm

by Brooke Thorsteinson and Dana Larsen (16 Sept, 2004) Da Kine cafe suffers massive bust, but persists in selling retail buds.

On September 10, patrons of the Dutch-style Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop in Vancouver, BC experienced an unwelcome surprise. Dozens of undercover cops, weapons drawn, clad in balaclavas (one wore a t-shirt with "Legalize It" on the front), raided the popular business.

Police executed a search warrant obtained by undercover narks who had purchased marijuana at Da Kine earlier that day. At 6pm, 30 police vehicles surrounded the cafe and erected barricades to keep back the angry crowds. One full block was shut down on the popular Commercial Drive, jamming traffic, interrupting filming of The Fantastic Four, and causing local businesses to close early.

[Should appear obvious that the only people breaching the peace, and causing a "public safety" hazard, were members of the VPD.]

A vocal crowd of about 200 protesters turned out at the roadblocks to heckle cops and smoke joints freely in a tense show of defiance.

12 people were arrested and police seized approximately $64,000 in cash, nine kilos of marijuana, 450 grams of hashish and over 300 pot cookies.

[Here you see the real motivation for the war on drugs.. The police find this a very lucrative racket, and there are many allegations of police selling the drugs they pilfer. See this link]

Seven staff members were forcibly detained during the shutdown, and are facing charges of trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking. The cafe's owner, 38-year-old Carol Gwilt, is also charged with possessing proceeds of a crime.


Store owner Carol Gwilt
Stubborn survival

Despite the raid, Da Kine managed to reopen the very next day to serve eager patrons once again, even though Carol Gwilt was still in jail.

"We're not going away," said store spokesman Lorne McLeod to media. "Our business license is still valid so why can't we operate? They've done the raid, here we are again. If they raid us again, we'll open again."

When Da Kine began selling pot in May 2004, it seemed as if no one cared about the legal violation. After four months of open marijuana sales, City Hall and police had apparently received no complaints from local residents.

Reporters for the local CTV news broke the story of the cafe in late August, repeatedly asking police what they were going to do about the cannabis cafe. Under pressure from reporters, it seemed at first as if the police were reluctant to actually make a raid. They finally moved a few days after BC Solicitor General Rich Coleman returned from holidays and told the media that police would soon act.

"I don't think we need a ho-hum attitude on anything to do with drugs," said Coleman, who has previously told the media that BC Bud helps buy guns in Afghanistan. "You've got people driving into a neighborhood, buying marijuana, smoking it and driving away in their cars. That's people who are now under the influence of something. That, to me, is unacceptable."

The Spirit Within, which is across the street from Da Kine, has also been outed in the media as selling marijuana. They were not raided, despite Vancouver police declaring it to be on their "radar."

Fighting City Hall

Vancouver City Council has scheduled a public hearing to determine if Da Kine should have its business license revoked. Originally planned for mid-September, the hearing was postponed after Gwilt hired Canadian constitutional expert John Conroy as her lawyer.

Da Kine's business license allowed it to sell pre-packaged food, books, clothing and paraphernalia. But it had also been selling marijuana for $10 a gram, which Gwilt claims the city knew about back in May, despite their protestations to the contrary.

However, many Vancouver city councillors, as well as Mayor Larry Campbell himself, said they were not really concerned about Da Kine selling pot. Campbell called the whole situation "no big deal," and said he doubted the cafe would have been scrutinized and shut down if it hadn't been for the intense media attention.

"I support legalization of marijuana," added Campbell, "but at the same time that doesn't mean they get to flout the law until the law is changed."

Campbell supported the creation of Vancouver's safe-injection site, and has vocally backed a "safe inhalation" site for cocaine users. By allowing a public hearing on Da Kine, the city is really creating a forum for debate on Vancouver following the Amsterdam model of unofficial, municipal legalization.

Federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler stated that there seems to be some confusion about the difference between decriminalization and legalization. "I think the message on this issue of decriminalization allowed people to infer from that that we're legalizing marijuana," he said.

In the face of controversy and arrest, Gwilt remains defiant. "I don't consider what we're doing illegal," she says. "We want a lot of these stores. We want these across Canada."

http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/3995.html


Raid briefly shuts Vancouver pot cafe

Last Updated Fri, 10 Sep 2004 19:54:10 EDT
VANCOUVER - A Vancouver café that was openly selling marijuana from a menu was back in business Friday, a day after police arrested eight people during a raid.

More than 30 officers closed the Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop Thursday night, while a crowd gathered a block away chanted: "Don't waste our time" and "We want weed."

A crowd of angry protesters gathered behind the barricade a block from the shop. Seven of the people arrested were employees of the store and one was a customer.

At a news conference Friday, police said they observed 230 customers using the café during one 90-minute period, and estimated its owners were doing business worth $30,000 a day.

"Charges have been recommended and are currently before Crown counsel," Acting Deputy Chief Bob Rolls said.

Da Kine has been open for four months. Owner Carol Gwilt went public to describe the operation 10 days ago, saying she hoped to convince city officials and police her store is a vital part of Vancouver's plan to reduce the harm of drug use.

FROM SEPT. 1, 2004: Vancouver 'pot cafe' goes public
She said the café limited sales to 28 grams for customers who had to be at least 19 years old, but didn't require a doctor's note.

Police spokesperson Sarah Bloor said that while the department knew for more than a week that marijuana was being sold, it conducted an investigation and obtained a warrant before acting.

"It became a priority when drug traffickers decided to openly flaunt their activity," she said. "It became a concern to the public. They brought their concerns to our attention and we've acted on that.

"It was obvious that these individuals had made this very much a public event."

She denied that political pressure influenced their decision to move on Da Kine.

Police surround the Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop in Vancouver.
On Wednesday, B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman criticized city officials for allowing the shop to stay open, calling it unacceptable.

But people living in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood where the shop is located say they don't have a problem with Da Kine.

"It seems to me that it hasn't bothered anybody on the drive," long-time resident William Butler said, calling the raid "nothing more than police and political grandstanding."

Paul Suh, who owns a neighbouring store, said he didn't mind having a pot café on his street: "I think Canadians are known for pot smokers anyway, so what's the big deal having it?"


Written by CBC News Online staff

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/10/marijuana040910.html