Edmonton's chief of police has gone on indefinite medical leave just as his department is being blasted over a 'sting' scandal.

"The Edmonton Police Commission was just notified through counsel for Police Chief Fred Rayner that effective immediately he is on a medical leave of absence and deputy chief Darryl da Costa has been appointed acting chief,'' Martin Ignasiak, the commission's chair, told reporters.

The announcement came after the department was criticized for an incident in which it appeared police were attempting to catch the commission's chair and a newspaper columnist driving while impaired.

Rayner had claimed the Nov. 18 stakeout of a downtown bar had begun with a tip that Kerry Diotte, an Edmonton Sun columnist who had been critical of police, might drive after drinking heavily. It was just a coincidence that Ignasiak was at the same establishment, he said.

The two men were attending a Canadian Association of Journalists event.

Harvey Cenaiko, the province's solicitor general, said after reading transcripts of radio transmissions he had "grave concerns" over how the incident had been investigated.

The transcripts, leaked to the Edmonton Journal and published on the weekend, suggest the police were targeting Ignasiak, that the tip on Diotte was dubious and that the officers involved spoke of covering up the allegedly routine operation (they didn't want to admit they had spotter officers in the bar).

"It's very upsetting,'' Cenaiko told journalists. "What happens is that it places a black mark on the whole Edmonton Police Service and it shouldn't. There are a number of officers there that have done something that is totally irresponsible, totally wrong.''

Numerous people, ranging from defence lawyers to municipal politicians, have called for an inquiry.

While Cenaiko had initially rejected the idea of an inquiry, he is now reconsidering the idea.

"It's obvious from reading that transcript that there's a number of officers -- not the whole Edmonton Police Service -- ... that partook in an activity that was extremely, extremely inappropriate."

He also said legislation will come this spring to increase civilian oversight of police activities.

Stephen Mandel, Edmonton's mayor, said he supported whatever action was deemed necessary by Cenaiko or the commission to get to the bottom of things.

Rayner, who was appointed chief in May 2004, said this last week: "They were there not to target Mr. Diotte because of what he said, but because of the potential behaviour that the members out on the street, around the Overtime Bar, felt he might engage in."

A group of criminal trial lawyers wants Rayner charged in connection with that statement, saying he lied to the media.
Rayner also said two senior officers were being investigated and a third was being investigated for allegedly using profane language on a police radio.

What was said

There were seven police officers in and around the bar.

Here is an exchange as they try spot Diotte (designated T1 for Target One; Ignasiak was T2), who is balding:

P4: Nobody is dressed like he is anyway so he will stick out. He's got a real bright royal blue button-up shirt with a tie on and a sports jacket and his shiny, shiny dome.

P1: A couple faggy looking guys coming out now. Maybe one of them's him.

Before that, P1 says, "Yeah, I think the guy who gets this target will never have to pay for a drink as long as he lives."

Robert Bragg, a journalism instructor in Calgary, says: "Reading the transcript, it sounds like a real hick town kind of behaviour that's going on. Really amateur, almost Keystone-like activity. But it's sinister none the less."

He noted, however, the government only acted after the transcripts became public.

City councillors are wondering what to make of all this.

"I'll just give you the opinion of a lot of my constituents. It's one of confusion and concern," says Mike Nickel.

But a lawyer for the two police officers charged with discreditable conduct called a news conference to attack the media.

"Unfortunately, biased and inflammatory articles have been published in our media that have affected the rights of those officers to a fair and impartial hearing," says Robert Hladun.

Diotte is pleased that some action appears to be happening on the file.

"I think it's good news people are starting to wake up and pay attention. I think it's a very serious issue," he told CFRN News.

"If this is happening to a journalist, who has a public voice, what's happening day to day to an average guy who isn't so privileged?" he asked.

Other past problems

A year ago, the service was buffeted by allegations that some vice squad officers had shaken down prostitutes for sex and money in the mid-1980s.

An anonymous allegation claimed that city officers accepted benefits from a company later recommended for a contract to operate photo radar.

In the last four years, high-speed police chases have more than doubled in Edmonton.

With reports from CTV's Sarah Galashan, CFRN's Dan Kobe and files from The Canadian Press