Rob Ford accused of verbally attacking 911 dispatchers
WARNING: This story contains language some may find offensive
Several police sources tell CBC News that Mayor Rob Ford asked for police assistance but became agitated as he waited, and called back to ask when officers would arrive. (Canadian Press) Toronto’s 911 dispatchers are accusing the city’s mayor, Rob Ford, of calling them "bitches" and hurling a string of profanity at them during an emergency call early Monday.
Ford called for police assistance when Mary Walsh, part of the CBC-TV comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, ambushed him in his driveway dressed as the character Marg Delahunty, with cameras rolling.
In the video of the encounter, Ford seems at first to be playing along, but becomes increasingly agitated, asking, “Can I go to my car please?”
Ford eventually walked back inside his home and called 911 — not once, but twice.
Several police sources tell CBC News that Ford asked for police assistance but became agitated as he waited, and called back to ask when officers would arrive.
Sources say Ford turned on the dispatcher, yelling: “You … bitches! Don’t you f--king know? I’m Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!”
Recordings of the call have spread like wildfire throughout the police service — even though officially Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash tells CBC News they can't discuss a private call to the 911 service.
Dispatchers sent a crew on high priority, arriving at his Etobicoke home 10 minutes after the call.
"The police force and the police brass are scrambling," Seglins reported. "This is a call the details of which are supposed to be private, but everyone within the police service, as we understand it, are talking about it."
Ford told reporters Monday after the run-in with the 22 Minutes crew that he called police after his daughter got scared.
“I didn't know who they were, and obviously I've had death threats,” Ford said Monday.
“I'm up for the games. I have no problem, you know what I mean, and I'm open to the media, but when you come to my private house early in the morning and ambush me that's — I think that crosses the line. I just told the police, and they'll take it from there.”
Mary Walsh, far right, playing the role of journalist Marg Delahunty on This Hour has 22 Minutes, yells a question to Quebec's then deputy premier Bernard Landry in 2001. Walsh's surprise interview of Rob Ford led to two 911 calls. (Canadian Press)Seglins said Ford won’t discuss his comments to 911.
"We've gone to Rob Ford, his spokesperson, put this question to him, told him we were doing this story," said Seglins. "We asked him why he said the things he did. What was going on, what happened? He's declined all comment."
CBC News contacted the Toronto Police Association, the union that represents the 911 call takers. The association's president, Mike McCormack, refused to discuss the situation or the complaints of his members who work in the Toronto police radio room where 911 calls are received.
The situation comes just a week after the Toronto Police Services Board approved a new police budget for 2012 that included a 4.6 per cent budget reduction, but not the 10 per cent cut demanded by Ford.
Under the terms of the deal, Chief Bill Blair will reduce his operating budget for next year, but won't be forced to lay off any officers. The budget plan also calls for a further 5.4 per cent reduction in 2013.
Ford called for police assistance when Mary Walsh, part of the CBC-TV comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, ambushed him in his driveway dressed as the character Marg Delahunty, with cameras rolling.
In the video of the encounter, Ford seems at first to be playing along, but becomes increasingly agitated, asking, “Can I go to my car please?”
Ford eventually walked back inside his home and called 911 — not once, but twice.
Several police sources tell CBC News that Ford asked for police assistance but became agitated as he waited, and called back to ask when officers would arrive.
Sources say Ford turned on the dispatcher, yelling: “You … bitches! Don’t you f--king know? I’m Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!”
Recordings of the call have spread like wildfire throughout the police service — even though officially Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash tells CBC News they can't discuss a private call to the 911 service.
Dispatchers sent a crew on high priority, arriving at his Etobicoke home 10 minutes after the call.
'I just told the police'
Appearing on CBC News Network on Thursday morning, CBC reporter Dave Seglins said dispatchers are "incensed" about the language Ford used during the 911 call and have complained to their union."The police force and the police brass are scrambling," Seglins reported. "This is a call the details of which are supposed to be private, but everyone within the police service, as we understand it, are talking about it."
Ford told reporters Monday after the run-in with the 22 Minutes crew that he called police after his daughter got scared.
“I didn't know who they were, and obviously I've had death threats,” Ford said Monday.
“I'm up for the games. I have no problem, you know what I mean, and I'm open to the media, but when you come to my private house early in the morning and ambush me that's — I think that crosses the line. I just told the police, and they'll take it from there.”
Mary Walsh, far right, playing the role of journalist Marg Delahunty on This Hour has 22 Minutes, yells a question to Quebec's then deputy premier Bernard Landry in 2001. Walsh's surprise interview of Rob Ford led to two 911 calls. (Canadian Press)Seglins said Ford won’t discuss his comments to 911."We've gone to Rob Ford, his spokesperson, put this question to him, told him we were doing this story," said Seglins. "We asked him why he said the things he did. What was going on, what happened? He's declined all comment."
CBC News contacted the Toronto Police Association, the union that represents the 911 call takers. The association's president, Mike McCormack, refused to discuss the situation or the complaints of his members who work in the Toronto police radio room where 911 calls are received.
The situation comes just a week after the Toronto Police Services Board approved a new police budget for 2012 that included a 4.6 per cent budget reduction, but not the 10 per cent cut demanded by Ford.
Under the terms of the deal, Chief Bill Blair will reduce his operating budget for next year, but won't be forced to lay off any officers. The budget plan also calls for a further 5.4 per cent reduction in 2013.
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