Peittiness and fl MUCH has been writ- ten about the problems plaguing the Vancouver Police Department and its embattled chief Bruce Chambers. Much too has been writ: ten in recent weeks about BCTV reporter John Daly in the wake of the search war- rant executed on the home of sgon-to-be former premier Glen Clark. While there may be some parallels beoween Chambers and Clark in terms of their style of autocratic leadership and inability to balance their respective books, there was Daly again last week getting at the heart of the problem in the police force. In January, CKNW reporter George Garrett was getting ready for his retire ment date ar month's end. There were new questions being asked about the prob- lems phguing Chambers when he was questioned going into an official function in Chinatown by Garrett and a colleague. Chambers’ new spin doc- tor Ken Hardie issued a com- munique the following day suggesting that Garrett had “antbushed” the chief. Apparently asking ques- tions of'a public figure responsible for the spending of taxpayers’ doflars is an “ambuslt,” but this in itself’ may give the reader some insight into Vancouver's top cep. In the same time frame, the Major Crime Section (MCS) held its annual “con- tact” party bringing rogether people from various walks of life for mutual benefit. It's essentially a networking event. With Garrett present for the festivities and persona non grata with the chiefand his supporters, Chambers and Deputy Chief Constable Brian McGuinness evidently beat a hasty retreat from the VanDusen Gardens event. The following day, McGuinness, still in high Pansies crime and punishment dudgeon over the perceived affront tothe chief, had sone less-than-carefully selected words with the AICS squad boss Brock Giles. Words later repeated with another officer who tied to calm the situa: tion. McGuinness, otherwise Known in less-than-compli- “Apparently asking questions of a public figure responsible for the spending of taxpayers’ dollars is an ‘ambush’... ” mentary terms as the “Purple Onion” tor the physical attributes he displays when he demonstrates difficulties with anger management, was on his last legs before the Chambers appointment. An “also ran” in the polit- ical fight for the corner office, he'd been virtually marginalized by former Deputy Chief Constable Rick Stevens and his supporters. When Chambers got the job and then eradicated his competition through forced buyout packages, McGuinness suddenly found himself with a new lease on life as the second most pow- erful man in the department. Once Garrett retired at the end of January, he was roasted in tribute with a posh bun toss. Given Garrett's leg- endary contacts in the police Great cool-weaiher flower. S999 G6 plants per jurmbe pack English Lavender Easy-to-grow fragrant plant. Plant now for suramer blooms! 197 $ dio cm. pot Himalayan Sweet Box Sarcococca Humilis White, fragrant flowers in bloom. ideal for under over hangs, entryways. Low-growing.... Snade-lover... “WITH ALL WE KNOW, IT HAS TO GROW.” MAPLE LEAF community the event was well attended by many from the Vancouver Police Department as well as the ROMP. Predictably, neither Chambers nor McGuinness saw fit to attend. Which brings us back to John Daly and his brush with the “Purple Oni” at police headquarters. Daly was following up on a story going around the police department concerning a “witchhunt” being con- ducted by senior manage- ment, Essentially, so the story Hoes, one officer Who was at the Garrett roast ona duty basis was ordered to compile alist of those serving mem- bers who attended. Apparently, there was some fun poked at Chambers and the transgressors were meant to be dealt with, So Daly, who is not with out his own contacts in the department, contirmed the story from several sources and then tried for almost three hours to get cither Chambers or McGuinness to return his calls for an inter- view. Evidently, he was not granted the courtesy of a call- back. Srakeouts being some- thing of his torte these days, as Glen Clark found out to his chagrin, Daly hung out in the lobby watil either Chambers or McGuinness emerged from their seventh floor enclave. As McGuinness stepped from the elevator, Daly approached him and asked for an on-camera interview about the issue. In shart order, Daly found out first ‘hand how the *Purple Onion” moniker was earned. Daly later explained that the incident seemed like it lasted for a long time burt was probably only about five min- utes. “f couldn't get a word in edgewise,” said the veteran TV reporter, “Frankly, the whole thing could have been avoided 622 one-gallon pot lice poll tics with a ample phone call.” Now, it should be said that amid the bluster and screaming, McGuinness did categorically deny ordering up such alist. But he would: nt go on-camera wath the demal Why nov? Tt should also be said chat Daly did vot have his camera man Dave MeKay shoot the tirade, although, copies of the tape could probably be sold in the VPD canteen, While this is all quite amusing — well. except tor MeGuinness Cd wager — it really is justa tithe more evi dence of pohce management in disarray, The morale in the force ts at its lowest point in memory. Officers have taken to wear- ing a second panel in their bulletproof vests — in the back. Visitars to police head: quarters need to Wear car protectors so they won't go deaf from the sound of the cxgshells crushing auder offi- cers’ feet. Just tor snicks, T asked five separate police sergeants what might happen if} say, a subor- dinate, when asked a ques: tion by a member of the media, went off in a tive: minute screaming session berating the reporter and the camera crew with him. To a man, the answer was the same. The officer woutd be disciplined in some manner for unprofessional conduct. OK, 1] wondered, is the chief contemplating discipli- nary action against Deputy Chief McGuinness? Don't bet on it. It’s a pity the navy has a lock on the term Peity Officer. 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