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The news that seven Toronto police officers have been swept up in a corruption probe sparked by a conspiracy to kill a corrections official last June cannot overstate the impact of organized crime on the community, York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said Thursday.
The officers’ charges range from conspiracy to commit murder to drug trafficking. York police led the investigation, which also saw 19 civilians arrested on varying charges.
“This is a deeply disappointing and sad day for policing,” said MacSween.
The sentiment was echoed by Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw, who spoke at Thursday’s news conference alongside MacSween.
“Corruption has no place in policing,” Demkiw said.
“It strikes at the trust people place in us.”
Speaking at a news conference Thursday about an organized crime and corruption investigation, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said the harm created by organized crime within the service goes far beyond the immediate accusations of wrongdoing. He added that the service is committed to leaving ‘no stone unturned’ in its quest to tackle these types of allegations.
In its own statement Thursday afternoon, the Toronto Police Association said it was “disturbed by the allegations.”
“There is nothing our members or the TPA hate more than a corrupt cop,” the statement said.
Public trust fundamental, mayor says
Demkiw himself sent a letter sent to Inspector General Ryan Teschner on Wednesday, asking him to inspect five areas in the police service — supervision and span of control, screening and vetting in the force, access to police databases and information systems, evidence and property management practices, and substance abuse and fitness for duty.
“This is a painful and unsettling moment,” Demkiw said Thursday. “I understand this news will be distressing for Torontonians and our police service members.”
Mayor Olivia Chow said she supports Demkiw’s request for an independent review. She did not hold back when asked about the investigation at an unrelated event Thursday afternoon, saying police officers found guilty of committing any crimes “deserve to be thrown in jail.”
Public trust is a fundamental part of policing and Torontonians deserve the right to know they can trust police officers, she said.
‘Disturbing’ corruption probe ‘a bump in the road,’ premier says
Premier Doug Ford also weighed in during an unrelated announcement, but struck a more conciliatory tone, saying it was “disturbing” but he didn’t want to tarnish police.
“I don’t want the public to lose trust in our great police, because they are incredible,” he said, noting that in any organization there are always a few “bad apples.”
Ford said he maintains confidence in Demkiw to do his job, and that the police service has “hit a bump in the road.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says it will be up to the courts to decide what happens to Toronto police facing charges in connection with a corruption probe. Ford spoke of ‘phenomenal’ officers who have a duty to the public, adding he didn’t want the public to lose trust in police.
Meanwhile, Karen McCrimmon, Ontario Liberal critic for public safety, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the charges.
She’s calling for an independent judicial inquiry — which would go a step further than the inspector general’s investigation requested by Chow, Demkiw and the Toronto police board.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with immense power and responsibility, and any abuse of that trust is unacceptable,” said McCrimmon in a statement.
“Trust in our institutions can only be restored through openness, accountability, and real consequences for wrongdoing — no matter who is involved.”
Charges are ‘shocking’: former SIU director
The issue of tow-truck wars in the GTA seems to “never go away,” said Ian Scott, a former director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), said.
He said he’s seen the problem go as far back as the 1980s. A systemic review of the Toronto police and the tow-truck industry is now needed, he said.
“It’s a huge deal. It’s virtually unprecedented in Canada,” said Scott. “The vast majority of police officers are trying to do a good job. … It’s like something out of The Sopranos.”