Advocates and experts are intensifying their demands for a comprehensive evaluation of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) following revelations of significant data breaches within the 12 Division. Recent findings highlight a troubling history of misconduct, prompting concerns about the integrity of police operations and the need for systemic change.
Uncovering the Breaches
A recent investigation by The Globe and Mail has illuminated a series of unlawful data breaches involving the 12 Division, where four constables faced disciplinary action over the past eight years. This alarming statistic represents nearly one-third of all data breach cases across the entire Toronto Police Service during that timeframe, despite the division being one of 16 throughout the city. One officer was criminally convicted for repeatedly leaking confidential information to an individual with a criminal background.
Shakir Rahim, the director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s criminal justice programme, expressed concern, stating, “These numbers illustrate that there is a systemic problem. The piece raises the possibility of division-specific issues that warrant thorough exploration within the TPS.”
The Project South Investigation
The data breaches are central to the allegations in Project South, a significant corruption investigation led by York Regional Police, which commenced in February. This inquiry is one of the largest of its kind in Canadian history, triggered by an alleged assassination attempt on a corrections officer. Investigators traced the incident back to Constable Timothy Barnhardt of the TPS, who purportedly used police databases to leak critical information.
Currently, seven active officers from the TPS have been charged as part of this investigation, with three from the 12 Division, including Barnhardt. A recently retired officer from the same division also faces charges. It is important to note that these allegations remain untested in court.
In response to the gravity of the situation, Ontario’s Inspector-General of Policing has initiated a provincewide review of police services, expected to last 18 months. This review will assess officer screening, supervisory practices, substance abuse, and evidence management to enhance the safeguarding of law enforcement databases.
Concerns Over Broad Mandate
Despite the broad scope of the provincial review, critics argue it may overlook localized issues that prompted the specific allegations in Project South. John Sewell, co-ordinator of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, emphasised the need for a focused review of the 12 Division, stating, “The research has shown very clearly that there have been numerous data breaches in 12 Division. This is a Toronto problem that local politicians must address.”
Top civic and police officials in Toronto have expressed their continued support for the provincewide investigation. A spokesperson for Mayor Olivia Chow confirmed her backing for the Inspector-General’s review, highlighting the importance of rebuilding public trust in policing.
Conversely, Shelley Carroll, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, reiterated the board’s commitment to ensuring that all pertinent issues are examined. If necessary, the board will not hesitate to initiate further independent reviews.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw acknowledged the complexities surrounding data collection at the unit level but has yet to comment on the specifics of the recent findings from The Globe. Shakir Rahim argues that transparency is crucial for restoring public trust. “If there’s a credible issue affecting public trust, transparency is the answer,” he stated, questioning the reluctance to delve deeper into division-specific issues.
Scot Wortley, acting director at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, also expressed concern about the expansive nature of the Inspector-General’s review. He labelled it perplexing that such an investigation, initiated within Toronto’s largest municipal police service, has now extended to over 50 police services across the province.
The Bigger Picture
The Globe’s review of disciplinary tribunal decisions from 2018 to 2025 has raised further questions about the prevalence of undetected data breaches within the TPS. Dr. Wortley highlighted the crucial need to understand how widespread these issues are among officers and what systems are in place to prevent and sanction such misconduct.
In a recent statement, Stephanie Sayer, spokesperson for the TPS, acknowledged that not all breaches are formally documented, suggesting that the sheer size of the service might contribute to the quantity of reported incidents. “The assumption that data breaches are a Toronto-specific issue is unfounded,” she asserted, stressing the importance of transparency in the police force’s operations.
Why it Matters
The growing scrutiny of the Toronto Police Service comes at a critical time when public trust in law enforcement is paramount. With systemic issues of data breaches and potential corruption at play, the call for a division-specific review is not merely a matter of accountability; it represents a vital step towards safeguarding the integrity of policing in Toronto. Addressing these concerns head-on could rebuild confidence in the TPS, ensuring that it operates with the transparency and accountability that the community deserves.
