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The Toronto Police Service’s 12 Division finds itself under intense scrutiny following a high-profile investigation into alleged corruption and misuse of police databases. A recent analysis reveals a troubling pattern of data breaches within this division, raising questions about oversight and accountability. The findings come in the wake of the Project South investigation, which has already led to several arrests, including officers from 12 Division.
A History of Breaches
In the eight years preceding the arrests linked to Project South, records show that four constables from 12 Division faced disciplinary actions for unlawful access to police databases. This represents nearly one-third of all police act convictions for database misuse across the Toronto Police Service since 2018. Importantly, these internal disciplinary matters typically do not lead to criminal charges.
Among these cases, one officer has been criminally convicted for leaking sensitive information to an individual with a known criminal background. This officer is currently also facing additional police act charges. While none of the earlier cases are directly connected to the ongoing Project South investigation, similar allegations of improper database use lie at the heart of the current probe, which was initiated by York Regional Police in February.
Project South Investigation Unfolds
The Project South investigation began following an attempted assassination of a corrections officer. In tracing the events leading to this serious crime, investigators found that Constable Timothy Barnhardt from 12 Division allegedly accessed police databases to leak critical information, which ultimately facilitated the attack. To date, seven officers have been charged in connection with Project South, with three of them, including Barnhardt, still serving at 12 Division.
The allegations against these officers remain untested in court, yet the implications are profound. The ongoing review of past disciplinary cases has revealed a concerning trend of unauthorized database access by officers within the same division.
Disciplinary Actions and Consequences
The nature of the breaches committed by officers in 12 Division varies significantly. Some cases involved seemingly innocuous queries, such as an unexplained licence-plate search or attempts to reconnect with acquaintances from previous police calls. However, the consequences for these infractions have often been limited, with many officers facing only minor punishments, such as a few days of docked pay.
For instance, Constable Alison Gaudino received sanctions for querying databases related to individuals she had personal relationships with. Similarly, Constable Timothy Price faced a more severe penalty, with a docked salary of eight days due to a history of misconduct. Such disciplinary measures, while significant, have led to criticisms regarding their effectiveness in deterring future breaches.
The Call for Comprehensive Review
In response to the alarming findings from Project South, Ontario’s Inspector-General of Policing has initiated a provincewide investigation into corruption across all police services, with a focus on database security. Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto Police has indicated that pinpointing issues at the precinct level presents complexities, but there is a recognition of the need for robust oversight.
Stephanie Sayer, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, acknowledged that the situation is serious, but maintained that the issue of database misuse is not unique to one division. She stated, “Not every instance of improper database access proceeds to a public disciplinary hearing or the courts,” highlighting the need for a broader understanding of the internal processes at play.
Why it Matters
The revelations surrounding the Toronto Police Service’s 12 Division raise significant concerns not only about the integrity of law enforcement but also about public trust in the police. With the potential for misuse of sensitive information and the ongoing investigation into corruption, the stakes are high for both the individuals involved and the community at large. This situation underscores an urgent need for systemic reforms to enhance oversight and ensure that police officers are held accountable for their actions, ultimately safeguarding the public from breaches of trust.
