Qualities Missed By Your Mayor

Mayor Miller obviously didn't see the following qualities when he arranged that Fantino's contract was not renewed; a cop of integrity, "tough, fearless, stubborn, and never afraid to speak your mind ... obviously dedicated to the men and women in your service.", and there was no way he wanted someone who was "never afraid to speak his mine." Only lackey's, toadies and ass kissers need apply at Toronto City Hall.

November 17, 2006

It's war on drunk driving

New OPP chief vows blitz

By IAN ROBERTSON, TORONTO SUN

Julian Fantino, in a pledge as the province's 13th OPP chief to "do a lot more about the carnage," called yesterday upon the justice system to stop giving impaired drivers an easy ride.

After a Commissioning Parade filled with pageantry, pipers, family, sword salutes, police and friends, Fantino said too many die on roads.

Drunk or doped-up drivers cause the most accidents and deaths, the new commissioner said.

There was a 17% increase last year in collisions. "Most of these incidents are preventable," Fantino said, "but too often the guilty get off or go unpunished."

Canada's leading criminal cause of death is not murder but drivers impaired by booze or drugs, he said.

The former police chief of Toronto, York Region and London blamed "court cancellations, plea bargaining, delays and remands" for undermining police efforts to keep highways safe by letting drunks drive again.

In addition to the 390,000 Highway Traffic Act charges laid last year by his force, there were 10,858 impaired driving charges.

Murder and other traditional investigations will continue as always, but his other top priority is child porn.

"The OPP has zero tolerance for crime and victimization," he said, later telling reporters "ruthless adults" make child porn, but videos and photos owned by collectors are "irrefutable proof of a child being victimized."

Saying he was humbled and proud to head the 7,500-member force, his voice cracked briefly when he smiled and spoke of his twin granddaughters and a grandson at the ceremony held in the Denison Armoury in Downsview.

Praising the efforts and dedication of his officers, Fantino said some make the ultimate sacrifice.

Premier Dalton McGuinty pledged to "support" Fantino, whom he called a cop of integrity, "tough, fearless, stubborn, and never afraid to speak your mind ... obviously dedicated to the men and women in your service."