September 19, 2000
Mr. Dago Correa Mr. Ed Carrasco Mr. Don Wise Latin American Community Association [Former LACA Address]Dear Sirs:
Thank you for your letter dated September 18, 2000, which I received in my office yesterday, and for your quick response to my invitation to meet with me. I note that you would like to arrange this meeting as soon as possible. In order to both accommodate your request for a meeting prior to this Thursday and to find an appropriate amount of time in my schedule, I would suggest we meet in my boardroom at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening, Wednesday, September 20, 2000.
I hope this meeting will provide you with the opportunity to personally express your concerns to me. I would like you to know that I will be inviting my close advisors, Deputy Chief Rick Hanson and Deputy Chief Peter Copple, to join this meeting. I feel this is important to ensure proper follow through after my pending retirement.
In regard to the case of Mr. Juan Domingo Melendez, I must tell you that the Calgary Police Service is legally prohibited from either discussing or disclosing any specific information pertaining to this case without the specific permission of the parties involved. In any case, I could not do this while the investigation into these serious allegations of police brutality and racism is underway. Indeed, since October 1, 1999, the Calgary Police Service has been governed by provincial legislation -- the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act -- which indicates how we, as a public body, must collect, use and disclose personal information about any identifiable individual.
I believe you know, neither the Chief of Police, nor any police officer, has the authority to drop charges once they have been laid. Only the Crown Attorney can do this after examining all the evidence. I thought it would be timely in advance of our meeting to indicate that I have read the media release issued yesterday (September 18, 2000) by the Latin American Community Association. In light of your efforts to have the Crown drop the charges against Mr. Melendez, I am uncertain about the wording and intent of your petition as it concerns my role.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding my offer to meet tomorrow evening. Should this be agreeable, I trust we can begin the important work that lays before us and that together, we can arrive at meaningful solutions which will restore your confidence in the Calgary Police Service.
Yours sincerely,
[Signed Christine Silverberg]