**
The Toronto Police Service’s 12 Division is under the spotlight following revelations of persistent data breaches linked to officers within the unit. This scrutiny comes in the wake of the high-profile Project South investigation, which has already resulted in multiple charges against several officers. A recent review of disciplinary records highlights a concerning pattern of misconduct related to unauthorized access of police databases, raising questions about the integrity of the division.
Data Breaches: A Recurring Issue
In the eight years leading up to the recent Project South arrests, four officers from the 12 Division faced disciplinary actions due to unlawful access to police databases. Such breaches account for nearly one-third of the total 13 cases of police act convictions recorded across the force since 2018. These police act charges, which pertain to serious misconduct, are internal matters and typically do not result in criminal proceedings.
Among the officers implicated, one has been criminally convicted for leaking confidential information to an individual with a criminal history. This officer continues to face police act charges. Although these earlier breaches are not directly connected to Project South, they share similarities with the allegations that have emerged from the investigation, which York Regional Police announced in February as one of the largest police corruption crackdowns in Canadian history.
Project South: The Catalyst for Change
The Project South probe was initiated following an alleged assassination attempt on a corrections officer, leading investigators to discover that Constable Timothy Barnhardt from the Toronto Police Service had used police databases to provide information that contributed to the attack. As of now, seven officers from the Toronto Police Service have been charged under this investigation.
Three of those charged, including Barnhardt, hail from the 12 Division, alongside a recently retired officer facing similar allegations. The specific details of these allegations have yet to be tested in a court of law, but the gravity of the situation is undeniable.
A Historical Context of Misconduct
The Globe and Mail has conducted an extensive review of disciplinary records pertaining to the 12 Division, revealing a troubling history of data misuse. Instances include an officer conducting an unexplained query on a licence plate and another tracking down a victim under the pretext of a personal interest. The motivations for these breaches vary widely, yet most resulted in merely a few days of docked pay.
Stephanie Sayer, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, defended the division, stating that there is no evidence suggesting that 12 Division has a disproportionately high rate of improper database access compared to other divisions. However, she acknowledged that not all incidents result in public hearings or criminal charges.
Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, emphasised the importance of evaluating each case individually. He noted that improper access to information is a common issue but does not always equate to criminal behaviour. This perspective highlights the complexities involved in policing misconduct and the nuances of disciplinary actions.
A Broader Investigation into Police Corruption
In response to the findings of Project South, Ontario’s Inspector-General of Policing has appointed a retired judge to oversee a comprehensive investigation into corruption across all police services in the province, with a focus on database security. When asked about the possibility of a detailed review of the culture within individual precincts, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw acknowledged the challenges associated with collecting data at such a granular level.
The urgency for reform is clear. In 2018, several officers from the 12 Division faced disciplinary actions for various breaches, including Constable Alison Gaudino, who accessed databases for personal reasons related to a relationship. Another officer, Constable Daniel Smith, was reprimanded for tracking down a woman he had met during a domestic violence call, revealing a concerning trend of personal motives behind these breaches.
Why it Matters
The ongoing investigations into the Toronto Police Service, particularly within the 12 Division, underscore the critical need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement. As allegations of corruption and misconduct surface, the integrity of police forces across Canada hangs in the balance. The outcomes of these investigations could not only reshape public trust in local policing but may also prompt widespread reforms aimed at preventing future breaches of conduct. The implications extend far beyond the individual cases, affecting community relations and the overall efficacy of the justice system.
