Senior officer sues police chief over alleged cover-up


A Peel Regional Police Inspector is suing,
 from left, Chief Michael Metcalf, Acting Staff Supt. Blair Foley and Acting Deputy Chief Daniel McDonald.

    Peel Regional Police Chief Michael Metcalf and two of his senior officers are being sued by another veteran officer over allegations including extortion, obstructing justice and covering up a potential criminal matter involving a member of the force.

    "I'm named as a defendant in this, so I won't be making any comment on it," Metcalf said today.

    Metcalf, who had yet to read the entire statement of claim, which contains a number of startling accusations, would only add that the case will be dealt with in court.

    The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court by Peel Insp. Steve Dolan, head of the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau, seeks more than $5 million in damages.  It names Metcalf, Acting Deputy Chief Daniel McDonald, Acting Staff Supt. Blair Foley and the Peel Police Services Board (PSB) as defendants.

    "These are allegations and nothing more and I can assure you that the Board will be defending itself and its staff vigorously.   I'm confident that we'll show that these allegations are without any factual basis," PSB Chair Emil Kolb said this afternoon.  "It's a shame that because of one person, the names of several people who have served this community well for so many years are brought into the public eye like this."

    The suit alleges a number of improprieties, some of which are criminal, according to the claim.  None of the allegations have been proven in court.

    Allegations include a charge that in late 2004, Metcalf manipulated former Peel Police Chief Noel Catney, "for purely careerist motives."

    Catney retired in late 2005, and Metcalf took over.

    The claim also accuses the defendants of trying to cover up an allegation of assault involving a Peel officer.  Dolan, who earlier in 2005 in an unrelated matter was charged with assault by Peterborough police — he was later acquitted — became aware of the cover-up, according to the claim, and informed his supervisor, Staff Supt. David Hazelton.

    Following Dolan’s conversation with Hazelton on Dec. 5, 2005, Hazelton met with Metcalf, McDonald and Foley, the claim states.  During that meeting, according to the claim, Hazelton was told that Dolan’s "criminal matter" in Peterborough would be "adversely affected if Insp. Dolan did not remain silent on what he knew of (the alleged) assault and the subsequent covering up of (the) complaint."

    The claim further accuses McDonald of advising Dolan, "that Metcalf had 'big plans' for the (Peel police) Service, and that Dolan could be part of them if he remained silent on the...(alleged) assault cover-up and on the issue of Insp. Dolan’s allegations that the defendants Metcalf, Foley and/or McDonald manipulated (Catney)..."

    According to the claim, Dolan told McDonald he would not remain silent, at which time McDonald informed him that he would, “put more on Insp. Dolan’s plate” and would take action that would negatively impact Dolan’s criminal matter in Peterborough.

    It is alleged there was a conspiracy against Dolan and that the defendants acted criminally in that their actions constituted threatening/retaliation, public mischief and extortion against Dolan and others.  The claim alleges Metcalf, McDonald and Foley "obstructed justice" by attempting to prevent witnesses from testifying at Dolan's trial.  The senior officers allegedly used "threats, bribes or other corrupt means" to prevent Peel officers from testifying in Dolan's defence.

    Other allegations include malicious prosecution of Dolan, breach of public duty and misfeasance of public office.

    Dolan is seeking damages, and claims the ordeal has caused him mental suffering, including depression and panic attacks.

    The defendants have 20 days to file a statement of defence.