Ford released a statement on Thursday,
acknowledging that after he was “attacked” in his driveway, he used the
“F-word” but “never called anyone any names.”
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has listened to the tapes and says Mayor Rob Ford did not use the word “bitches” when he called 911 earlier this week.
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS (Toronto Police Service), in which case I have to set the record straight,” he wrote in a statement released late Friday afternoon. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
On Monday, This Hour has 22 Minutes’ Mary Walsh appeared in Ford’s driveway as “Marg Delahunty” to film an impromptu interview for the comedy show. A surprised Ford called 911, having no idea who Walsh was. The encounter set off a chain of allegations, denials, and statements that dominated headlines all week.
On Thursday, scrutiny of the incident intensified when the CBC, citing anonymous police sources, reported that Ford called the 911 dispatcher back, yelling: “You ... bitches! Don't you f---ing know? I'm Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city!”
Ford released a statement Thursday, acknowledging that after he was “attacked” in his driveway, he used the “F-word” but “never called anyone any names.”
“I apologize for expressing my frustration inappropriately,” the statement read.
When asked if they stood by the story after the police chief’s statement, CBC spokesman Chris Ball, in an email Friday night said, “We have multiple, credible, well-placed sources within TPS, including a dispatcher, we are reporting what was told to us. This is a developing story and we’re continuing to report on it as it unfolds.”
On Friday, Ford was 4,000 kilometres away from the controversy, arriving in Guadalajara, Mexico, in advance of the Pan American Games closing ceremonies. He could not be reached for comment.
On Friday morning, Blair told the Star he had spoken with Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack, who had not received any formal complaint from 911 operators regarding the call.
In his statement, Blair acknowledged it is not “his practice” to comment on 911 calls, but felt it was necessary because of serious allegations about what was said, and “whether there was any abuse of the 911 service.”
“I want every citizen of Toronto, if they feel that their safety is threatened or they need the services of the police, I want people to feel comfortable calling 911, give us an opportunity to get there and help in any way we can,” Blair told the Star. “That's the responsibility of the police. If any citizen of this city feels they need the services of the police and they need it quickly, I'd encourage them to call 911."
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS (Toronto Police Service), in which case I have to set the record straight,” he wrote in a statement released late Friday afternoon. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
On Monday, This Hour has 22 Minutes’ Mary Walsh appeared in Ford’s driveway as “Marg Delahunty” to film an impromptu interview for the comedy show. A surprised Ford called 911, having no idea who Walsh was. The encounter set off a chain of allegations, denials, and statements that dominated headlines all week.
On Thursday, scrutiny of the incident intensified when the CBC, citing anonymous police sources, reported that Ford called the 911 dispatcher back, yelling: “You ... bitches! Don't you f---ing know? I'm Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city!”
Ford released a statement Thursday, acknowledging that after he was “attacked” in his driveway, he used the “F-word” but “never called anyone any names.”
“I apologize for expressing my frustration inappropriately,” the statement read.
When asked if they stood by the story after the police chief’s statement, CBC spokesman Chris Ball, in an email Friday night said, “We have multiple, credible, well-placed sources within TPS, including a dispatcher, we are reporting what was told to us. This is a developing story and we’re continuing to report on it as it unfolds.”
On Friday, Ford was 4,000 kilometres away from the controversy, arriving in Guadalajara, Mexico, in advance of the Pan American Games closing ceremonies. He could not be reached for comment.
On Friday morning, Blair told the Star he had spoken with Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack, who had not received any formal complaint from 911 operators regarding the call.
In his statement, Blair acknowledged it is not “his practice” to comment on 911 calls, but felt it was necessary because of serious allegations about what was said, and “whether there was any abuse of the 911 service.”
“I want every citizen of Toronto, if they feel that their safety is threatened or they need the services of the police, I want people to feel comfortable calling 911, give us an opportunity to get there and help in any way we can,” Blair told the Star. “That's the responsibility of the police. If any citizen of this city feels they need the services of the police and they need it quickly, I'd encourage them to call 911."
Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1077989--ford-didn-t-use-b-word-in-911-call-police-chief-says?bn=1
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