Durham Regional Police Service ran a 'poisoned' workplace, years-long investigation finds

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) in southern Ontario was a toxic workplace where officials failed to adequately address harassment and management aggressively fought officers seeking mental health support, according to newly released records.

The findings by investigators are included in the Ontario Civilian Police Commission’s (OCPC) report into the workplace culture, policies and procedures of the DRPS and its board. The report and a summary of the document were obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request.

Investigators substantiated allegations that "a poisoned work environment was created at the DRPS," according to the report. Workplace harassment investigations, though guided by “sound” policies, were marred by bias and shoddy record-keeping, it says.

Peter Brauti, a lawyer for current and former DRPS members whose complaints sparked the investigation, said he was disappointed in the lack of detail in the heavily censored report.

“These were multiple people within the organization that literally had their lives ruined by certain individuals [who] weren’t held accountable,” Brauti told CBC News. “I’m sure that they’re sitting there thinking, ‘Why did I bother coming forward at all?’”

The DRPS is headquartered in Whitby and serves several municipalities in Durham Region just east of Toronto.

According to the OCPC report, in November 2018, Brauti wrote to the deputy minister of community safety and correctional services, and made allegations of “favouritism, cronyism, reprisals and criminal activity at the highest levels" of the DRPS.

He included letters from four complainants, all current or former members of the police service.

The OCPC launched its investigation in May 2019 and interviewed about 80 witnesses. The commission finished its report in July. Since then, the document has remained secret and the OCPC has dissolved in accordance with new provincial policing legislation. 

CBC News previously reported the OCPC shared its findings with only the DRPS, the service’s board and the province’s solicitor general. 

In a prepared statement, DRPS Chief Peter Moreira said he and the board have urged the OCPC to release its findings.

"While the OCPC report focused on a period of time under a completely different leadership team, my command team and I are committed to learning from the report and its recommendations," he said.

The board said in a statement it has taken several steps to ensure accountability and transparency. 

“The investigation covered by this report began seven years ago. The allegations in many cases go back a decade. Much has changed at the DRPS and the board over this period of time.”