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	'Two Sides to Every Story': Aikman By Trevor Pritchard Standard Freeholder March 7, 2008 http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=932834 Testimony over the next month or two at the Cornwall Public Inquiry should help counter "misinformation" that former cop Perry Dunlop spread about the police force, the force's deputy chief says. Danny Aikman said civil lawsuits and the OPP's Project Truth investigation prevented the force from commenting on some of the more widespread allegations - in particular, that the Cornwall Community Police Service was trying to cover-up sexual abuse cases. "We've always said we welcome a public inquiry (so we can give) our version of the events," said Aikman. "Hopefully at the end of the inquiry, the public and the commissioner will see that there were two sides to every story." In 1993, Dunlop handed over a file to the Children's Aid Society that showed an alleged victim was paid $32,000 by the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese not to pursue abuse charges against a local priest. He left the force in 2001 after being the subject of numerous internal police investigations. On Wednesday, he was given a six-month sentence for civil contempt after refusing to testify at the inquiry. Between 15 and 20 current and former members of the Cornwall police will be taking the stand over the next few months, and their testimony should shine a new light on some of Dunlop's remarks, Aikman said. While certain "special interest groups" might have latched on to Dunlop's claims about a conspiracy, Aikman said it was doubtful that opinion was ever held by a majority of Cornwall residents. He pointed to recent community surveys showing about 95 per cent of citizens are happy with their police force. "No one claims to be perfect. Mistakes occur in every walk of life," said Aikman, who plans to appear at the Weave Shed in person for most of the police force's testimony. "But I think most people, if they listen to the evidence, if they consider both sides of the discussion, will conclude that the Cornwall police service is an effective (force)."
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