Veteran cop gets one year for possessing child porn
Kate Webb, The Province
Published: Thursday, July 26, 2007

A 30-year Vancouver police officer who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography got a conditional 12-month jail sentence in Surrey Provincial Court yesterday.

John Dragani, the former head of the missing persons unit, accessed thousands of images of child porn between October 1999 and February 2005.

His lawyer, Reginald Harris, said Dragani did not wish to address the court, for fear he would become too emotional. "He has asked me to profess his remorse and regret and assures the court that he will never do anything like that ever again," Harris said.

Prosecutor Winston Sayson said outside court the sentence was requested in a joint submission by the Crown and defence. "It is desired that the sentencing of the court today communicate that those who seek to possess child pornography will be caught and will be prosecuted," said Sayson.

Dragani will likely never serve a day behind bars. The offences took place before Nov. 1, 2005, the date a 45-day minimum prison sentence became mandatory for all persons convicted of possessing child porn.

The conditional sentence was accompanied by a list of restrictions on Dragani's freedom. He is banned from entering parks, pools and other public places frequented by children under the age of 14, except when working or taking his kids to or from school.

He is also prohibited from being alone with children under the age of 14, except his kids and grandchildren. He is banned from accessing the Internet or Internet browsing devices, except for work purposes and sending text-only files.

kwebb@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Province 2007