Law Union of Ontario says Toronto police anti-corruption measures need an outside probe
Seven Toronto officers and one retired officer were arrested in the Project South probe; the police service has added two anti-corruption teams.
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Seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer were arrested in the Project South probe, on allegations tied to misuse of police databases that included bribery, conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking. Officers allegedly accessed classified information that was passed to criminals.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says the service has created two new anti-corruption teams for enforcement, accountability and compliance, one of which conducts unannounced inspections of divisions and units. The service says more than 20 internal inspections have been carried out. Demkiw also pointed to a province-wide inspection of all Ontario police forces, which has already received documents and disclosure.
Jack Gemmel, a lawyer and police critic with the Law Union of Ontario, argues the allegations warrant a deeper, independent investigation by an outside police service to examine whether corruption extends beyond the officers already implicated. Gemmel questioned why the Toronto Police Service's Professional Standards Bureau did not uncover the conduct itself, and said the provincial inspection is too broad to reach how many other officers may be involved. That is the Law Union's view, not a finding.
The inspector general of policing will review the provincial inspection results and issue any findings or directions.
Does the Toronto Police Service intend to request an outside investigation into officers beyond those already charged?
What did the more than 20 internal inspections find, and have any officers faced consequences?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
