SQLFusion - Cornwall cop defends his honour

Cornwall cop defends his honour

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

08 April 2008

Posted By Trevor Pritchard

A veteran police officer vigourously defended his role in a number of sex abuse investigations that took place in the 1990s at the Cornwall Public Inquiry yesterday.

Staff Sgt. Luc Brunet said the rumours that the Cornwall Police Service conspired to cover up abuse allegations levelled against a number of prominent citizens caused him "severe stress" and had a "significant impact" on his family.

"I wish to clearly state that the suggestion I breached my oath of office by covering up a sexual assault investigation is totally false," said Brunet, who read from a prepared statement at the end of his three-day examination-in-chief.

"I also wish to state that the suggestion that I was involved in a coverup because I was a Catholic is totally false, and it's offensive to me."

From 1993 to 1999, Brunet ran the force's criminal investigations branch (CIB). He oversaw a number of high-stakes investigations during that time, including the allegations made by David Silmser against Rev. Charles MacDonald and probation officer Ken Seguin.

Brunet, 51, had testified previously about the understaffing and recordkeeping issues that plagued the Cornwall force during the 1990s.

He told commission lawyer Pierre Dumais Tuesday he had "waited for 15 years" to respond to the "malicious rumours" of an orchestrated coverup.

"I have always cared deeply about our community," said Brunet. "And I have always served with honour and integrity, both on and off-duty."

Brunet took over the CIB in January 1993, only a few weeks after Silmser told police he was sexually abused by MacDonald when he was an altar boy at St. Columban's Church in the 1960s and 1970s.

Silmser would eventually negotiate a $32,000 settlement from the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese in exchange for not pursuing charges against MacDonald.

After learning Silmser was no longer willing to testify, Cornwall police halted their investigation in September 1993. Soon after, Silmser's file - along with details of the payout - was turned over to the Children's Aid Society by former cop Perry Dunlop.

On Tuesday afternoon, lawyers cross-examined Brunet about some of the shortcomings of that investigation.

Allan Manson, a lawyer for the Citizens for Community Renewal, pressed Brunet on why lead investigator Heidi Sebalj never had MacDonald undergo a polygraph exam.

MacDonald's lawyer, Malcolm MacDonald (no relation), had indicated his client was willing to take the exam as early as February 1993.

Brunet testified last week that it was "premature" at that time to agree to the offer, since the case was just under way.

Over her nine-month investigation, Sebalj - who was excused from testifying at the inquiry for health reasons - wrote in her notes about concerns she had with Silmser's motivations for negotiating with the diocese.

She was also having difficulty corroborating Silmser's story, and Manson said it therefore made sense to bring Charles MacDonald in for a polygraph - especially after Malcolm MacDonald, sensing his client might be arrested, asked police in August 1993 that he be escorted into custody rather than handcuffed.

"Seems to me (that) was the perfect time to say . . . bring him in for a polygraph," said Manson. Brunet told both Manson and Ian Paul, a lawyer for the Coalition for Action, that his philosophy was to use the polygraph only when the investigation was almost finished.

"It was my position that when I bring the suspect in, I have to be satisfied of the information I can use to do the interview," he said.

While city police never charged Charles MacDonald, the now-retired priest was charged in 1996 with sex crimes during the OPP's Project Truth investigation.

Those charges were stayed six years later when a judge concluded they'd taken too long to come to trial. MacDonald has always maintained his innocence.

Seguin was never charged with any crimes. He committed suicide in 1993.

Dallas Lee, a lawyer for The Victims Group, honed in on comments in Brunet's statement that he was the subject of three internal investigations and a civil lawsuit during his time with the CIB.

He asked Brunet if he understood the inquiry was about more than just rumours of a coverup, and if he accepted that Cornwall police - himself included - made mistakes in their investigations.

"Would you agree that finding out what happened, and making sure institutions improve, is a good thing?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," replied Brunet.

Brunet's cross-examination is scheduled to continue when the inquiry resumes this morning.

Comments on this Article.

What a joke. Mandatory Reporting is the cross he should fry on. If he is proud of his lack of professional decisions and lack of following Mandatory Reporting...well he is a jackass.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By JungleLord,

What honour would one have if he did not follow the law, especially Mandatory Reporting? There is no honour, just disgrace at best, cohersion to assist at worst...but there is no honour, none at all. The first step is in admitting it buddy...so just admit it...your totally at fault because Mandatory Reporting never changed. Now why would the law be so unclear to the police. Its not and don't believe these false and outlandish claims of innocent behaviour and lack of knowledge of what the only appropirate action was. Like I said, every medical professional is very clear about Mandatory Reporting. How can it be the police are not? I do not believe a word of your defense. You suck.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By JungleLord,

I don't believe this officers reasoning for anything i think he knew what they were doing was wrong and helped to cover up everything. They can't blame incompetence on Perry Dunlop. They got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and are squirming like fish on a hook. Cross examine this bugger till he confesses.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By dodger,

by the way i do not believe he deserves the title of officer of law when he ignores the law

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By dodger,

uphold and enforce the laws that are in place do not try to make excuses for an obvious cover up. you and the whole lot have been caught so start admitting there is a problem and fix it.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By dodger,

I was faced with Mandatory Reporting of a Physician. He went to jail and I am proud of my actions. This disgrace of conduct that Staff Sgt. Luc Brunet believes is honourable is a total failure and disregard for everthing he is supposed to be working for. Anyone that saw that file had the Obligation and was under Federal Law of Mandatory Reporting to get the facts to every agency that is explained in the Act, which is exactly what Perry Dunlop did. I am not a lawyer but even as a Medical Professional I am well aware of my own conduct to any allegation of child sex abuse is governed by clear and percise law that is Mandatory Reporting. There is no excuse and no honour.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By JungleLord,

How stupid do you think we are? (cover up)
How incompetent could you be? (impossible)Take your pick people. Mandatory Reporting is Federal Law and very clearly spelled out. I have been part of the process and as a Medical Professional I call the hand of the cornwall police force.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By JungleLord,

Do you guys get your diplomas from a crackerjack box? Give me a break. This is absolutly insane that he can even get away with this with so many legal people in one room listening to his BS. How not one single person of "legal professional qualifications" could sit in that room and not violently object is proof positive that the inquiry is more then a joke. Its outright manipulation of commonsense and some insane lack knowledge of the law.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By JungleLord,

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Under the
Child Welfare Act1
Wayne N. Renke*

Section 3 of the Child Welfare Act2 establishes a mandatory reporting
obligation. It reads as follows:

(1) Any person who has reasonable and probable grounds to believe and
believes that a child is in need of protective services shall forthwith report
the matter to a director.

(2) Subsection (1) applies notwithstanding that the information on which the
belief is founded is confidential and its disclosure is prohibited under any
other Act.

(3) This section does not apply to information that is privileged as a result of
a solicitor-client relationship.

(4) No action lies against a person reporting pursuant to this section unless the
reporting is done maliciously or without reasonable and probable grounds
for the belief.

(5) Notwithstanding and in addition to any other penalty provided by this Act,
if a director has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a person
has not complied with subsection (1) and that person is registered under
an Act regulating a profession or occupation prescribed in the regulations,
the director shall advise the appropriate governing body of that profession
or occupation of the failure to comply.

(6) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence
and liable to a fine of not more than $2000 and in default of payment to
imprisonment for a term of not more than 6 months.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By JungleLord,

Now maybe I am wrong, but the section on persons registered under an act (ie medical professional, police officer) applies to the cornwall police force as well as the rest of Ontario.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By JungleLord,

"Way to Go!", "JungleLord".."Way to Go!!". That is exactly the way to inform and educate "us"..."with facts." Regarding Brunet, "Mandatory Reporting" and his Duty to Report, everything else is, "AFTER THE FACT" and would not have happened, if Brunet and others had acted diligently and in good faith; following the procedures and protocols they were "obligated by law" to adhere to. NOTHING MORE HERE! "JungleLord", I believe you are "CORRECT."

Perhaps Brunet and others are "implying" their loyalties and "honour" to some other un-named people or organizations.

"Way To Go"

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #11 By James "SPEAK OUT",

What about due diligence???

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #12 By itinerant,

Hey there JungleLord, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!Now you're getting the hang of it, you should be proud of yourself bacause when I read your Post, I was proud of you and doesn't it feel good, eh? Keep it up, but don't think you have to come up with "Gems" like that all the time or you might burn out but God it was such a pleasure reading your POST #9. Ya see, we can ALL learn from each other as I know that you and James and others have taught me so much and I thank you all. Again JL, beautiful job, absolutely beautiful!!! And hello to you to James.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #13 By armagedon,

Just calling a spade a spade. But thanks. I pray to God that this wakes people up. They broke the law (Cornwall Police Force) by withholding evidence of child sex abuse. Its Mandatory Reporting Law 101.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #14 By JungleLord,

Maybe a little history here is good. The physician that got charged I speak of was actually videotaped by my patient doing what he did. He had been charged before and had gotten off dispite numerous accusations. He was finally convicted with proof that could not be denied dispite in a previous case he had even left seamen and was let off. I never had to testify but I did lodge the complaints required of me by law under Mandatory Reporting. Today on the CBC I did hear of a another case of doctor patient sex charges that did result in the doctor losing his registration but has since been reinstated. The victim felt that the entire legal affair to convict this "professional" left him the victim erased from the equation at the end point, although the doctor did get charged. He stated and I quote that the system is no different then the police investigating themself and in the end dispite even "so called justice" the person who was victimized is left out of the equation at the end of it all. I know my patient went through hell to get the doctor in ottawa convicted. She told me of her plans to go back and video tape this guy in the act. She was the exwife of a doctor so she knew about Mandatory Reporting when she told me. I was the first one she trusted enough to back her up, which I did 100%, which was Mandatory by Law. The system is not entirely broken but its very crippled.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #15 By JungleLord,

One thing that the CBC caller made very clear is that when a person in authority does things that are beyound imagination, the victim enters a world of total distrust of all authority. When that same victim goes to another authority to validate and vindicate themselves, its very difficult to even do that because of the nature of the abuse, and then to have the authority that should handle manners in a legal and responsible fashion do the exact opposite...the victim is then more distrusting then ever. To say it only happened here would be a lie, but to ignore what happened would be wrong. The responsibility of the police to follow Mandatory Reporting is so very important because of the emotional state of the abused. Walk a mile in their shoes would be fit. All I can say is that my patient that confided in me about her abuse was only able to do so with much effort dispite the fact I was the ONLY one she trusted. I can therefore understand the caller on the CBC today about his sexual abuse by a physician and the effects it had on his life and mental state as I have seen it first hand.I have also seen first hand the lives of many people on Perry Dunlops public statement. I have been in a occupation that also brought me into contact with many of these people, the police, lawyers, etc and all I can say is that I know for a fact that these are troubled souls and I will not even get into the creditbility of the cornwall legal establishments or the cornwall police force or CAS, let alone the child sex abuse of the Roman Catholic Priests.Who ever believe its ok to not go forward with allegations of sexual abuse is a total retard.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #16 By JungleLord,

What a joke..and Perry Dunlop is the one in jail?????????

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #17 By JohnnyAppleSeed,

all we hear are excuse after excuse from all the police officers that have testified so far.seems knowbody did anything wrong at the police station but perry dunlop, and the victims that came forward.this has turned into quite the soap opra.if the police didn,t try to cover anything up then they should all be fired for there investaging work.didn<T they learn anything from the alfred sitution.im sure all the officers will say they serve with pride and dedication.and im sure all the peadophiles will say there innocent.wake up cornwall

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #18 By luckyred,

Hey there JungleLord, ya see my friend others are now reading YOUR facts that you've worked hard to dig up and maybe they'll catch on and then it's going to get even more focussed than the mumble-jumble than it was. Yer doing grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat and a "tip of my hat" to you. Did you happen to read the story titled: "Retired cop tells inquiry he never used the term 'cover-up'" yet? I find it rather "STRANGE" that again there is no room for comments about some of the cops and their lies thanks to ADOLPH who just doesn't seem to get it, so much for the hypocrasy of "Freedom of the Press" that doesn't extend to us. What are covering up or better still ADOLPH what are you trying to hide that you won't leave room for cover-ups, you in bed with all those clowns or what?

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #19 By armagedon,

In the last sentence, "room for cover-ups" should read ROOM FOR COMMENTS but then ADOLPH and his stooge Herr Claude don't want us to comment on those things that might not agree with want they want us to believe. March on you Jackboots and y'all get the "one armed salute" as we goose step past your podium, eh? I see the Gestapo is still alive and well in Cornhole. Go ahead and flag that one too ADOLPH it's being stored and will be passed on to the other blogs re: the Inquiry. Seig Heil!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #20 By armagedon,

This article from page 5 and I quote the heading: "Brunet: "I have always served with honour and integrity" with no room for COMMENTS either, yes, the Gestapo is very much alive in the Cornhole Standard-Freeloader to this very day, eh? Go ahead and flag this one Adolph, it too is stored and passed on to the other blogs re: the inquiry as they too are wondering just what the hell is going on with the censorship. By the by Adolph, as you any relation to that *** George W. Bush or are you just a wannabee?

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #21 By armagedon,