SQLFusion - Former Deputy Chief offers blanket apology

Former deputy police chief offers blanket apology

CORNWALL PUBLIC INQUIRY

St. Denis also encourages Perry Dunlop to testify

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

24 June 2008

Posted By TREVOR PRITCHARD, STANDARD-FREEHOLDER

The city's former deputy chief of police offered a blanket apology at the Cornwall Public Inquiry Monday to any sexual abuse complainants he had "offended" while serving as the force's second-in-command.

Joseph St. Denis told Comm. Normand Glaude he was in a "healing mode" as he shouldered some of the blame for investigations that were later found to have been flawed or mismanaged by the Cornwall Police Service.

"Yes, some mistakes were made. Yes, there were some mismanagement of files. But overall, Mr. Commissioner, that represented in my opinion less than one or two per cent of the overall workload at the time," St. Denis told inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude.

"If during my tenure as deputy chief of police I offended any victims of sexual abuse, historical or otherwise, I do sincerely apologize."

St. Denis was deputy chief with the CPS from 1987 until 2001. A number of cases from his tenure have come under the microscope at the inquiry, which has a mandate to explore how institutions like the local police handled historical allegations of sexual abuse.

One major case -- which served as the spark for many of the events that led up to the inquiry -- began in December 1992, when David Silmser came forward with allegations he was sexually abused by a local priest and a probation officer.

HALTED INVESTIGATION

Police halted their 10-month investigation in 1993 after Silmser settled with the Alexandria- Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese for $32,000. Former cop Perry Dunlop later turned Silmser's statement over to the Children's Aid Society, and from there the statement ended up in the media.

St. Denis had originally assigned Claude Lortie, the force's intelligence officer, to handle Silmser's complaint, but pulled him off the case when he learned Lortie was going on medical leave.

"I was most concerned because it was already tardy," St. Denis explained under cross-examination yesterday. "The file should have been acted on sooner."

Silmser's investigation was eventually given to a female officer, Heidi Sebalj, even though Silmser had asked to deal with a man.

Sebalj also had only two months' experience investigating sexual assaults -- a major problem highlighted in a subsequent review by Ottawa police of how the CPS handled Silmser's allegations.

St. Denis told Dallas Lee, an attorney for The Victims Group, that Lortie "possibly" could have been put back on the case since he ended up only being off for a few weeks.

"I would never have reassigned the file (if I had known)," St. Denis said.

St. Denis adamantly denied any suggestion that the CPS was part of a coverup of historical abuse allegations. He urged the public to stop spreading "false rumours and innuendo" about people in the community.

"No single person, and in my opinion no single institution or agency, is totally to blame or totally at fault with respect to any potential investigative shortcomings," said St. Denis.

He then offered an olive branch to Dunlop, who has staunchly refused to testify at the inquiry and is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for contempt.

"It is important for Perry. It is important for Perry's family. It is important for sexual abuse victims," said St. Denis.

"And it is very important for all citizens in Cornwall to hear from Perry, as he can only enhance the healing process in our community."

The inquiry resumes this morning.

Article ID# 1085803

Comments on this Article.

Well Said Mr St.Denis..And it is very important for all citizens in Cornwall to hear from Perry.."It is important for Perry. It is important for Perry's family. It is important for sexual abuse victims," said St. Denis. Again well said...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By 2 sides 2 a story,

Hindsight is 20/20 isn't it, and trying to pass the buck for your screw-ups over to Perry shows just how much of a man you are or are you a mouse and I'd vote for the later except I'd hate to insult the rodent world, even though you would appear to be "part rodent"! I remember a movie that fits, "BEN"! And 2Faced, you're a joke! AGAIN, well said...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By booga-booga

What about NO fo people NOT understand???The "N" or the "O" ???Why does this continue to be an issue???Obviously - pass the buck!!!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By RealityChecker

deputy chief or any officer.how come poeple who have no ties to any instution or are nobodys.were charge and convicted with very very little evendince but what the victim said.the judge heard the evendince from both parties(this is justice]and made his ruling.it could of went any way.to the police if its good for some victims it should be good enought for all victims.let the judges decide thats there job.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By luckyred

RealityChecker,You are a sick puppy dog...Many of us know the diff between N & O..Its you that needs to understand the Diff.....Maybe get off this thread and hunker down with Slyvie..

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By 2 sides 2 a story

OOooh.....looks like I'm upsetting a few people. Gotta love it!TRUTH hurts - doesn't it.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By RealityChecker

Oooooooooooooooooh RealityChecker, I don't care if you're a guy or gal but I'm definitely in love with the fact that you are upsetting a few people and it would look like you got *2Faced* to even misquote you. As *2Faced* quotes in regards to you is "Many of us know the diff between N & O.." and your comment was " What about NO (do)fo people NOT understand???The "N" or the "O" ??? Is that dummy any relation to someone we both know or say by the way is our bully Itinerant or is he here *2Faced*? And YES, the truth does hurt, doesn't it especially when you hit toooooooooooooooo close to home eh *2Faced*? Hey *2Faced* how does it feel or is it something that you're ALL TOO FAMILIARY WITH?

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By booga-booga

to all the citzens of canada who are following the cornwall public inquirey and are reading about it in the media.{the watered down medias reporting of course]after reading the medias side try and get a computer and go to sylvias site just read what she has to say about the days proceedings at the inquirey.why are they so diffrent.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By luckyred

hey freeholder lets have an opion poll.should perry dunlop take the stand???yes or no

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By luckyred

another poll please;who do you belivie victims or institutions

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By luckyred

Another poll please! Just how many of you anal retentive no goods will I let in through the "Pearly Gates"? The "Big Guy" has just informed me that you "retentives" are all going to hell but not just yet, we'll just make what little you have left in your life a "living hell" and then you get the REAL DEAL!! Pitch-fork lessons anyone? :) :) ):

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #11 By saintpeter-47

it is not justice you are looking for but revenge. most are no better then those you assume guilty.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #12 By itinerant

Call it revenge, call it justice or whatever turns your crank, but hey *itinerant* what are you worried about unless you've got something to hide? Justice, Revenge, I'm just the one who escorts the good in and the bad down to have a permanent visit with Lucifer, I think you know him, correct? And if not, as we know you, you will eventually meet good old Lucifer at the end of your wasted and bitter life when it's your time to meet your next "boss" who awaits the time with open arms. Ya won't be able to either intimidate or talk your way around or over him, ya might get "forked!" Pardon the pun! Did you catch that one itinerant? By the way, in your last sentence "most are no better then those you assume guilty.", you have a way with words but your whole last sentence makes NO sense unless you can explain it. You say "most", MOST what and just who have I assumed guilty? Or is it YOU THAT IS FEELING GUILTY??????????????????? And WHY????????????????????

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #13 By saintpeter-47

Truly Peter, this pearly gates fantasy of yours in just that a fantasy to attract week minded individuals into believing they will meet you. There is more depth then what you use to try and agitate people. Peter’s holding of the keys is just a catholic depiction of his supremacy over he church or as is also assumed the keys to heaven. On the topic of week minded individuals and the need of symbolisms, you seem to have a need to seek out some form of status symbol, something to belong to or to be in control. A typical weakness often claimed present in victims of abuse. I would assume you are a former abused person.Sorry to hear bout that but take it up with someone who can help you. As for me going one way or the other, either way I will be among friends. Of course as you must already know it is only after judgement day that any of us will make that trip. Something of which has yet to happen...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #14 By itinerant

My son, my son, just giving you a taste of your own medicine for the way you treat people on this thread and by extension the same goes for *2Faced*! Maybe the both of you will think before you decide to play God when you go after others here on this thread.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #15 By saintpeter-47

Why do you say I am *2Faced*!David...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #16 By 2 sides 2 a story

Petie Petie you use such blasphemy. You must be a self-proclaimed evangelist

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #17 By itinerant

ohh yea and as for playing God, we are not the ones fantasising bout condeming folks to hell. We ask questions and comment. You well you are still searching for something to beleive in I guess. Good luck with that.Hey Dave did you win your suit yet??

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #18 By itinerant

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #19 By itinerant

Looks like whoever you're talking to must have really got to you as you had to repeat yourselves and to *2Faced* the answer to your question is BECAUSE!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #20 By booga-booga,

booga-booga Because??? My children can explain better than that...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #21 By 2 sides 2 a story

I would guess that your children would have to keep it as simple as that in order for you to grasp!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #22 By booga-booga,

BEWARE OF A FILE DOWNLOAD THAT THE FREELOADER IS TRYING OUT, SEE BELOW*******FILE DOWNLOAD DO YOU WANT TO OPEN OR SAVE THIS FILE?NAME: SearchCat.aspxTYPE: Web Form, 84.1 KBFROM: standard-freeholder.comLike I said before, something stinks in this hole and it ain't the stinkin fish thanks to the CornHole Standard Freeloader!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #23 By booga-booga,

booger, Do you see another conspiracy theory???
Look quick over there oh oh cyber giants *lol*

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #24 By itinerant,

Conpiracy theory, no, they're too stupid to even get that right. All I am is very observant and think for myself unlike some who don't think other than to taunt and harrass, eh little man? Say, you and *2Faced* are so close the way you talk at others and with yourselves, I was wondering if "you are in bed with each other?"

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #25 By saintpeter-47,