Whisper
June 21st, 2006, 01:15 AM
Former Vancouver police officer faces child porn charges
A former Vancouver sergeant who used to lead the department's school-liaison program has been charged with accessing and possessing child pornography.
John Dragani, a 30-year veteran who also used to lead the force's missing persons department, was arrested at his home in Vancouver on Monday, said police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning.
Dragani had been suspended without pay in April 2005 and later retired from the Vancouver Police Department.
"There is no question that allegations concerning this officer's conduct were embarrassing for the VPD," Fanning said.
"But it was also an opportunity to clearly demonstrate that on those rare occasions where criminal conduct is alleged against a police officer, the department takes it very seriously."
Although Dragani once headed the department's school-liaison program, police said his police duties were not related to the charges he faces: one count of possession of child pornography and one count of accessing child pornography.
The charges stem from alleged events that occurred between October 1999 and February 2005.
Crown spokesman Stan Lowe said it took so long to lay the charges because of the time needed to go through computer files.
The missing persons unit has been involved in the intensive investigation into the disappearances of dozens of women from the streets of the city's Downtown Eastside.
Fanning said Dragani had also been involved with the police pipe band and had mentored many young officers over his career.
A former Vancouver sergeant who used to lead the department's school-liaison program has been charged with accessing and possessing child pornography.
John Dragani, a 30-year veteran who also used to lead the force's missing persons department, was arrested at his home in Vancouver on Monday, said police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning.
Dragani had been suspended without pay in April 2005 and later retired from the Vancouver Police Department.
"There is no question that allegations concerning this officer's conduct were embarrassing for the VPD," Fanning said.
"But it was also an opportunity to clearly demonstrate that on those rare occasions where criminal conduct is alleged against a police officer, the department takes it very seriously."
Although Dragani once headed the department's school-liaison program, police said his police duties were not related to the charges he faces: one count of possession of child pornography and one count of accessing child pornography.
The charges stem from alleged events that occurred between October 1999 and February 2005.
Crown spokesman Stan Lowe said it took so long to lay the charges because of the time needed to go through computer files.
The missing persons unit has been involved in the intensive investigation into the disappearances of dozens of women from the streets of the city's Downtown Eastside.
Fanning said Dragani had also been involved with the police pipe band and had mentored many young officers over his career.