Ontario policing inspector announces provincewide look at how police, boards can protect against corruption

Ontario's inspector general of policing will conduct a provincewide independent review of police in the wake of a corruption scandal involving more than half a dozen Toronto police officers.

Ryan Teschner said incidents of corruption “understandably shake public trust” and a thorough independent investigation is needed to answer the public’s questions.

“People most often encounter police at moments of crisis, when they are frightened, injured, grieving or in immediate danger,” he said. “In those moments, public trust is not abstract. It determines whether people will seek help, whether they will cooperate, tell the truth and accept protection."

Teschner said said once the review is done, the findings will be made public online.

"I understand that the public is watching. I understand that these issues need to be dealt with and addressed swiftly, but I'm also committed to doing so properly, " Teschner said.

All 45 police services in the province and their boards, including the Ontario Provincial Police, will be reviewed by an external investigator, he said.

"Although this issue originated with the Toronto Police Service, we have since learned that other organizations may be impacted," Teschner said.

Teschner said he would appoint an external person to lead the work, who will have the same statutory authorities as he does to obtain information relevant to the inspection.

The external inspector will report back to Teschner, he said, who will review to determine if there is any non-compliance with policing legislation.

Teschner said he was briefed with his team “fairly recently” about the investigation, prior to the official request from Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw.

“The policing oversight system in Ontario ensures independence and ensures oversight in a variety of circumstances including when a chief of police decides to give a criminal investigation and refer it to another police service,” he said.

Teschner confirmed Toronto police made a referral to York police, as part of the lengthy corruption probe.

Seven TPS officers were arrested after a months-long investigation by York Region police and officials have voiced concerns about the scandal undermining public trust in police. Since then, Peel police has suspended three of its own officers in connection with the case, although no charges have been filed.

News of the charges broke last Wednesday and more details were given by York Regional Police (YRP) at a news conference Thursday.