City cop lashes out at Dunlop

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

05 June 2008

Posted By TREVOR PRITCHARD

His voice breaking, a high-ranking city police officer on the stand at the Cornwall Public Inquiry Wednesday lashed out at the former cop who sued him and his force 12 years ago.

Insp. Brendon Wells asked for forgiveness if he appeared "a little sensitive" before suggesting Perry Dunlop's 1996 lawsuit was filled with "slanders" that damaged his personal and professional reputation.

"I'm extremely disappointed that Mr. Dunlop will not come forward to explain to my family and I why he felt it was necessary -in pursuit of this multi-million dollar claim -to spread these untruths," said Wells, a 39-year veteran of the Cornwall Police Service.

In 1993, Dunlop -who was then working in the force's drug investigation unit -learned of a $32,000 settlement between David Silmser and the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese.

Silmser had accepted the money in exchange for dropping his complaint against Rev. Charles MacDonald, a Cornwall priest who had allegedly abused him decades earlier while he was an altar boy.

MacDonald was never convicted on any sex abuse charges. Charges laid later by the OPP were stayed in 2002 after a judge determined they'd taken too long to come to trial.

In September 1993, Dunlop turned Silmser's statement over to the Children's Aid Society. After that statement appeared on an Ottawa news broadcast, Dunlop was charged under the Police Services Act with discreditable conduct.

He was exonerated on those charges and in 1996 sued a number of people in the CPS -including Wells - for what he claimed was a "malicious" prosecution. Dunlop has repeatedly refused to testify at the inquiry and is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for contempt.

As the force's professional standards officer in early 1994, Wells was assigned to investigate how Silmser's statement ended up in the hands of the press, after Silmser lodged a complaint with Cornwall police.

Wells said Wednesday he had originally wanted an arms-length provincial police commission to investigate the complaint. But the commission turned that request down, said Wells, who couldn't remember the reasons behind that decision.

Inquiry lawyer Karen Jones took Wells to comments he made in an Ottawa Citizen article the day after Silmser's statement appeared in the news.

In the January 1994 article, Wells was quoted as saying the force was confident no CPS officer had leaked Silmser's statement to the media.

Wells backtracked from those statements yesterday, accusing the reporter of misquoting him. Silmser hadn't even made his complaint yet, he said, so there was no way he could have been sure the leak didn't come from inside the force.

"I would not lie to the media," said Wells. "I would not mislead them."

Jones found it odd that Wells -who at the time was also the force's media spokesperson -didn't try to correct the alleged misquote. Another CPS officer called a number of media outlets the next day, yet his notes made no mention of the incorrect information, she said.

"There's a possibility I did not read (the Citizen piece),"Wells replied.

Citizens for Community Renewal lawyer Helen Daley suggested the reason the alleged misquote was never fixed was because a correction would mean the CPS would be putting out "negative information."

"The correction wouldn't sound good because it would be a statement to the effect of, 'We can't be satisfied that no member of our force (released the statement)," she said.

Calling the leak of Silmser's statements "unprecedented," Daley asked Wells if the CPS ever considered doing more than issuing press releases to restore the community's faith that the police weren't mishandling confidential documents.

"I'm not aware of anyone that gave . . . thought to that," said Wells.

"I'm not saying they didn't." Wells ultimately found that Const.

Heidi Sebalj, the officer who investigated Silmser's complaint, had nothing to do with the release of the file.

Wells is scheduled to return to the stand when the inquiry -which is probing how institutions like the CPS handled historical sexual abuse complaints -resumes this morning.

Article ID# 1060027

Yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh, it's everybody elses fault but, the only one who did his job and took the time to do HIS job properly is PERRY DUNLOP and just what did that do for him? He's in jail for doing his job PROPERLY while innuendos and whispers about the child abuse and pedophilia swirled around not only the cops but the judiciary, CAS and CCAS and the townsfolk turned a blind eye to these helpless kids whose adult lives are now in ruins thanks to NOBODY helping them.

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

I knew this guy would blame perry dunlop. Typical self righteous i would never lie to the media bullcrap!

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

By the way the chief in charge of the whole organization will be on the witness stand next week. You want to see a show of a worm wiggling on a hook watch this show. There will be more i don't recalls than any other words.

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

Justice will only be served when Sylvies site reads 500 days in jail and still counting...

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By 2 sides 2 a story,

David My Luv..Do you not think for a moment we may have helped these children if we new..20,30,40 years later we are hearing about it as they come up and still they are monikered..In your case its easy you want the world to know how you and your brother were diddled..And you are proud of it.

But your dream of a big paycheck fell apart..Would you like me to send you some air miles..

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

2 sides 2 a story you are a real sick person. For some people part of the healing is bringing it out in the open. Yes the man is angry and he has a damn right to be angry.

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

Of course all the victims are liars or some people would like us to believe that.

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

Roger trust me I am not a sick person..believe me you even know me..I am sick of the one sided story we in this town are getting into..

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By 2 sides 2 a story,

TROLL ALERT!!!

TROLL ALERT!!!

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

Dodger, I want to thank you and you are absolutely right in what you're saying. Sometimes in order for other abused victims to come out and either seek legal and or medical help or both for the child abuse that happened to them, it might well help if a victim like myself is very public about it after hiding for 40 years in that nightmarish hole I mentally lived in. When I came out and started my battle with both the HPS and the HWCAS, it was only for my sake but when I got my files from the HWCAS in 2004 and kept reading about kids STILL being abused, well it then became a battle by me for them. If people don't speak out about it, as you well know it continues and so do the cover-ups. Also, you are right about me having a right to be angry and I AM angry but NOT for myself but for other who have continued to be abused and all lots of people have to babble on about is mostly BS because a lot of people aren't doing anything except burying their heads up their *sses. And you too have a right to be angry for what happened in your family, but I guess lots either don't get it or are too afraid to come out because of louts like the above. As for a payout, I do have quite a substantial amount coming so if the clown above wants to be so cheap as to donate his airmiles, why doesn't he donate them to a charity, I neither need them nor want them but maybe in his "largess" his royal "cheapness" might consider donating not only air miles but also cash and his time, that is if they would accept it. As for a one sided story "this town are getting into", you're not just "getting into" it now, you've had it for several decades and he says he's not a sick person? Even the mentally insane don't think they're sick people! RealityChecker, I hear you loud and clear and thanks, I'm trying but some of these clown are really "trying"!

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

DON'T Feed the Trolls ;)

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #11 By RealityChecker,

Armegedon

You may have lived in a mental hole as you described it, but it is time to crawl out. That includes pulling your own head out of your a-s-s. Quit trying to impose your agony on everyone else. You already have stated you care nothing for anyone else on this topic, so it is a little late to claim you care now. Every time you post it is the same stuff about how everyone else is to blame.

Deal with it and move on.

As for the monetary amount you think you have coming, I hate to disappoint you but in Canada you cannot sue for monetary gain. All they will do is fund your doctor’s bills. You might want to look up Kevorkian for your next visit.

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

And still more…I give up…Stop!! Stop!!! You win!!! Leave me alone!!!....oh, nightmare!!!
(read like a radio broadcast).”Yes ladies and gentlemen and to ALL the ships at sea; the remarkable, the astonishing, YES, the UNBELIEAVABLE can be seen at the Cornwall Public Inquiry, as it moves forward, aaa strays sideways, aaaa backwards, up back….anyway.” YES, “believe it or not”…the most recent high ranking, member of the “Cornwall Police Services” “of the day”, testifying under oath and under the watchful eyes, of Commissioner Normand Glaude,….how he doesn’t know or forgets everything about anything!! HELLO Mars, can you hear me?

(read normal)Did anyone “really” watch this most recent episode?

Reportedly over $200,000.00 spent to prepare “the Department” for this.

What a pathetic disgrace.

“I can’t remember”, “I forget”, “I have no notes or I lost them.” MY DOG ate them!! What a blatant and brutal example of the incompetent, inept group of buffoons, operating within the “Cornwall Police Services” walls….”at the time”.

Were these knuckleheads, the whole lot of them, picked up at the local “detox” and offered jobs as police constables, guaranteed sobriety or not? Get real!! Who was the Chief of the day, as if we don’t know.

Relating to today’s “Standard-Freeholder” article entitled “City cop lashes out at Dunlop.” by “Trevor Pritchard”. I suggest readers take a good look at it, because I am not going to re-type everything. Wow!!

“Insp. Brendon Wells”, 39 year veteran of the “Cornwall Police Services”. “Insp. Brendon Wells”, “at the time”, “professional standards officer” and “at the time” the “forces” news media spokesperson.

Well, I’m certain after 15 years of building a reputation (since 1993), Mr. Wells, one of the obvious idiots of “the day” then, may be seen as a loving, caring, devoted member of the community and member of various associations today.

I ask Insp. Brendon Wells, for the record, would it be fair to suggest, that you agree with the headline, “City cop lashes out at Dunlop” or would you say “Mr. Pritchard” had a misinterpretation of your testimony? Also, in the article, we read where “Mr. Pritchard” writes, that, “Wells backtracked accusing the reporter of misquoting…” Additionally, it is reported, “Insp. Brendon Wells” testified, “I would not lie to the media.” “I would not mislead them.” Mr. Wells also testified, that at the time (’93-’96), he chose not to have the interview amended and that he may or may not have read the “Ottawa Citizen” newspaper article in question. Mr. Wells, now is the time. Would you like to set “Mr. Pritchard” straight?

I mean, do you really want us to believe what you say or what you say you forgot? Unfortunately, you will not have to face any “adversarial” cross examination, from the, malpractice, liability insurance carrier lawyers present at the inquiry. You are one of their “star” witnesses. You, “They” and their clients have much to lose if current testimony conflicts with previous testimony and evidence provided at various other proceedings.

Imagine what the story would be today, if Dunlop presented the type of testimony you and yours have presented at this inquiry; let alone the onslaught of the various counsel.

Anyone who sees this otherwise is complicit or an idiot.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #13 By JAMES "SPEAK OUT"

James why do you not go to the inquiry and brings these issues out.
Truly it is what the inquiry is for.

DO IT man you may be the saving grace for all these people

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

Armagedon, take Itinerant's advice. It's time to move on. If you want to really help others than you first have to heal yourself. You have to stop cursing, name-calling, and putting everyone and everything down. See a counsellor to work through this.

I happen to live in Cornwall and although, everything is not perfect here, it isn't anywhere else either (except perhaps Heaven). I take great offence when you continuously refer to Cornwall as "CornHole". Not everyone is an abuser....so give other people a chance and stop jumping down everyone's throat anytime they say something you don't approve of. Did you realize that you have now become an abuser yourself(emotional abuser) when you continuously put people down, call them names, etc. How many people have been affected by your comments/hatred? Maybe you should reflect on that and practice what you preach.

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

Trolls are like cyber bullies...they push and they push and they push to get a reaction. Do not respond, do not engage, do not call names. Ignoring them means just that - IGNORE THEM.

Do Not Feed the Trolls!

They will eventually go away if they don't get a reaction and will find someone else to pick on in cyberspace.

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

Very true Reality Checker, but....I would rather he pick on me than someone who is weak and unsuspecting. Abusers prey on vulnerable individuals. I'm trying to reason with him and make him understand his negativity and abuse is not any better than what may have occured to him years before. Perhaps it's even worse because he's aware of how abuse can affect an individual.

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

RealityChecker,The only trolls are you and Sylvie..case closed

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #18 By 2 sides 2 a story,

Tee, hee, hee!!!

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

I think these cops took lessons from the Gomery Inquiry (Adscam). Just waiting for someone to show up with some golfballs - that would be a hoot!

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

David I see that your drugs are again kicking in ...Have a great night

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

Ta-da, Your hero has arrived!

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

man what a lively blog we had here today

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #23 By dodger,

goodnight folks

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

Wow good point nighthawk on both counts. Thanks for the support.

As for them kicking me hey I am ok with that for reasons you stated. Better me then his kids.

Also that is why I question Armegedon as a mythomaniac or a pathological liar.

He seems to construct a reality around himself and a possibly fictitious brother. He does not value the truth, especially if he cannot see it as hurting anyone. If you call him on a lie or, in this case, a statement out of context he answers as though he was backed into a corner, then acts very defensively and posts ignorant things

You can also see in his posts the fact that he doesn't care or has a Well, what's the difference? type attitude. Then he tries to refocus the conversation to your wrongdoing instead of his.

Classic case for a pathological liar

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #25 By itinerant,

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #26 By RealityChecker,