The Toronto Police Service’s 12 Division is under the spotlight following a series of data breaches that have raised concerns about misuse of law enforcement databases. This scrutiny comes in the wake of the high-profile Project South investigation, which resulted in multiple charges against officers within the division. A review of disciplinary records reveals a troubling pattern of misconduct, with several officers previously penalised for similar infractions.
A Pattern of Misconduct
The recent Project South operation, which has been described as one of the largest police corruption investigations in Canadian history, was initiated after an alleged assassination attempt on a corrections officer. Investigators discovered that Constable Timothy Barnhardt from 12 Division had allegedly accessed police databases to leak sensitive information, contributing to the crime.
In the eight years preceding the Project South arrests, four officers from 12 Division faced disciplinary action for unlawful database access, accounting for nearly one-third of the 13 total cases of database misuse within the entire Toronto Police Service since 2018. These cases, while serious, typically resulted in internal sanctions rather than criminal charges.
A fifth officer, Constable Ricardo Gomez, received a criminal conviction for leaking confidential details to an individual with a known criminal background. He continues to face internal charges related to misconduct.
Diverse Motives Behind Breaches
The motives for the data breaches involving officers from the 12 Division are varied and alarming. Incidents include unauthorized queries linked to personal relationships, an unexplained license plate search, and leaking sensitive information. Most of these infractions led to a few days’ pay being docked for the officers involved.
For instance, in 2018, Constable Alison Gaudino received penalties for conducting unauthorized searches on individuals, including one who was a former romantic partner. Similarly, Constable Brian Collymore was penalised for an unexplained query on a license plate, with no justification presented during his tribunal.
Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, acknowledged that such data breaches are not uncommon. He emphasised the importance of evaluating each case individually, noting that not all improper access reaches a threshold warranting criminal prosecution.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Oversight
In response to the alarming findings of Project South, the Ontario Inspector-General of Policing has appointed a retired judge to lead a comprehensive review of corruption across all police services in the province, with a focus on database security. This initiative aims to address the systemic issues that have emerged from the investigation.
Chief Myron Demkiw has expressed support for this provincewide review but indicated that assessing the culture of each precinct presents complexities. The Toronto Police Service is simultaneously implementing internal measures, including an anti-corruption project aimed at enhancing the monitoring and prevention of improper access to sensitive information systems such as the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
Why it Matters
The repeated instances of data breaches within the Toronto Police Service’s 12 Division highlight a critical issue of accountability and integrity within law enforcement. As Project South unfolds, the implications of these infractions extend beyond the officers involved, calling into question the trust placed in the police by the community. Strengthening oversight and fostering a culture of ethical conduct is essential in restoring public confidence and ensuring that law enforcement serves as a pillar of justice rather than a source of corruption.
