West Vancouver police chief loses job

The chief of the West Vancouver police force has been let go, justa monthafter a controversy erupted over drinking by officers on police premises.

The controversy began when it was learned that a constable had been convicted of impaired driving after having an accident following an after-hours drinking party at the police station.

It was also learned that Const. Lisa Alford was still in line for a promotion, despite that conviction.

Subsequently, Chief Scott Armstrong admitted he had sanctioned the parties, and had even attended some of them himself.

West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones said the scandal had nothing to do with the police board's decision to terminate Armstrong just 10 months after he got the job.

"Nothing. Nothing to do with this whatsoever," she said. "[It's a] completely independent thing."

Goldsmith-Jones refuses to say what triggered the termination.

She said the board will start its search for a new chief of police next week.