High-ranking Toronto cop demoted over investigation interference
CBC
A high-ranking Toronto police officer has been handed a nine-month demotion after interfering in a 2022 collision investigation involving her nephew.
Insp. Joyce Schertzer will now temporarily hold the rank of staff sergeant, retired OPP Supt. Lisa Taylor said in her decision, announced at a disciplinary tribunal hearing Monday morning.
Taylor said the veteran cop's misconduct had damaged the reputation of the Toronto Police Service and undermined public trust in law enforcement.
"I find a fully informed citizen would be shocked when considering the actions and inactions of Insp. Schertzer," Taylor told the tribunal. "Insp. Shertzer's misconduct represented a major deviation from the expectations of a senior officer."
Schertzer had previously been found guilty of one count of discreditable conduct and another count of neglect of duty for her interference in the investigation of a collision on May 1 of that year.
During that incident, Schertzer attended a west-end crash site that her nephew was allowed to leave, circumventing police procedure by allowing family relationships to influence her official conduct, the tribunal found.
Schertzer was working at 11 Division that day when she got a call from her daughter — who is a constable with Toronto police — telling her Schertzer's nephew had been in a collision outside The Boulevard Club on Lake Shore Boulevard W., the tribunal heard.
Schertzer had an officer from 11 Division dispatched to 14 Division where the incident occurred, even though officers generally respond to calls within their own division. The crash happened near the barrier between the two divisions and Schertzer previously testified she was unaware the site of the incident was outside her division's boundary.
Schertzer's nephew was allowed to leave the scene after speaking with Const. Braden Doherty for about 10 minutes.
Schertzer also attended the scene and spoke with Doherty. Doherty previously testified that he'd asked for Schertzer's permission to turn off his body camera while they spoke.
In her decision, Taylor also noted that Schertzer had yet to acknowledge that her actions were inappropriate.
Taylor said Schertzer's career track record was a mitigating factor in her decision. She said Schertzer's misconduct was a "first-time matter" and not seen anywhere else in over 30 years of service.
The tribunal received "copious" letters of support from current and former members of law enforcement, vouching for Schertzer's character and track record, Taylor said.
Taylor also commended Schertzer for continuing to work for the police service throughout the proceedings, despite intense media scrutiny.
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