New Ottawa police chief pans crack pipe program

Ottawa's newly sworn in police chief says he is no fan of the city's crack pipe distribution program.

"I have to tell you I have a real problem any time we give instruments of drugs to anyone," said Chief Vernon White.

White was speaking Tuesdayat a news conference, hours after he was sworn in to replace Vince Bevan, who was also against the program.

The city provides drug users with clean crack pipes so they do not have to share used ones, which is intended to reduce the spread of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C. City statistics say infection rates have fallen since the program started.

But White said his conversations with doctorsdon't support those numbers.

"Instead, I've been given some information telling me that actually they've seen an increase in utilization, possibly linked to the fact that they give away crack pipes."

White said he finds it difficult as a father to explain to his 17-year-old daughter that "crack is illegal, but the city will give you a pipe to smoke it."

White, who is leaving his post as chief for the Durham Regional Police east of Toronto, described himself to reporters as a "cop's cop," but said he is also a believer in community policing, which involves close interaction between police and civilians,and restorative justice,which focuses onrepairing the harm caused by a crime.

White a 'gifted communicator': mayor

At White's swearing-in ceremony Tuesday morning, Mayor Larry O'Brien spoke highly of the police chief he helped choose while sitting on the city's selection committee.

"I'm convinced that Vern White is a policeman's policeman. I think he is significantly gifted communicator. And that's the secret behind all success," O'Brien said.

Deputy Chief Sue O'Sullivan, who was short-listed for the job and has been acting chief since Bevan retiredat the end ofMarch, said she has heard White works well as part of a team.

"You can see he's very personable, very outgoing. He's going to bring his own ideas," she said.

Charles Momy,president of the Ottawa Police Association, said officers have high hopes for their new chief.

"Certainly the big issue for the rank and file right now is the amount of officers on the front lines," he said. "And we're hoping that Chief White is going to be taking a serious look at that and taking over a complete review of the police service."

White said he is not planning a review.

White was born in New Waterford, N.S., and has been a police officer for more than 25 years. He spent most of his career serving with theRCMP in northern Canada, and spent a few years in Ottawa as assistant commissioner with the RCMP before heading to Durham region.