Ontario has ordered a provincewide inspection of police services and police boards after corruption allegations involving Toronto police officers.
Ryan Teschner, Ontario’s inspector general of policing, announced the move Monday at Queen’s Park. He said the allegations have damaged public confidence and a broad, independent review is needed to rebuild trust.
Teschner said the inspection will look for weaknesses in oversight and standards across the policing system. If issues are found, he said, the goal is to drive meaningful improvements across the province.
Why Ontario launched this provincewide inspection
Teschner said the work will be carried out under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act. The law is the province’s main framework for policing rules and oversight.
He said the inspection will begin with five defined areas. However, it can expand into other areas if new concerns emerge during the review.
Teschner framed the decision as a response to public concern. He said the system must be strong enough to detect vulnerabilities early and prevent misconduct.
Ontario police review will focus on five areas
Teschner said the inspection will concentrate on core points where risks can develop inside police organizations.
The five areas he listed are:
- Officer supervision and span of control
- Screening and vetting of officers
- Access to police databases and information systems
- Evidence and property management
- Substance abuse and fitness for duty
Database access is a central issue in the broader case. It refers to how officers can search internal systems that contain sensitive information, and what controls exist to prevent misuse.
Charges in Project South set the context
The provincewide inspection follows major charges announced by York Regional Police on Feb. 5.
York Regional Police said seven active Toronto police officers and one retired Toronto officer were charged as part of Project South. The investigation is focused on organized crime and corruption.
The allegations include bribery, obstruction of justice, drug trafficking, theft of personal property, breach of trust, and unauthorized access and distribution of confidential information.
Toronto police chief asked for an external inspection
After the charges were announced, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said he wrote to Teschner seeking an independent external inspection.
Teschner said he will appoint an external inspector to lead the provincewide review. That person will have the same authority he has to obtain relevant information.
He also said the inspection will be carried out in a way that does not compromise or interfere with Project South.
What happens after the inspector reports back
Teschner said the external inspector will deliver a report to him once the work is completed. He will then review it to determine whether there has been any non-compliance with Ontario’s policing legislation.
If non-compliance is found, Teschner said he will decide whether to issue legally binding directions. He said any directions and the full review will be made public, but he did not provide a timeline.
He added that the Inspectorate of Policing would also be required to monitor how any directions are implemented, and whether they achieve the intended outcomes.
Allegations include leaked information and claimed criminal ties
York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said on Feb. 5 that the case includes allegations of ties between some charged Toronto officers and criminal networks.
Hogan said those networks were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to murder a man who works at an Ontario correctional institution. He described a 36-hour period in which suspects allegedly went to the man’s home in York Region multiple times.
Hogan said suspects were arrested at the scene. He also alleged that Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt unlawfully accessed confidential information about the victim and leaked it to Brian DaCosta, described by police as a key figure in a criminal network operating in the Greater Toronto Area.
Hogan alleged that the information was then shared further and used to cause harm. He also alleged that Const. Elias Mouawad released confidential information in support of illicit activity.
Investigators also allege Const. John Madeley (Jr.) and his father, retired constable John Madeley (Sr.), accessed and distributed confidential information.
Bribery and theft allegations also part of the case
Hogan said Barnhardt, Sgt. Robert Black, Const. Saurabjit Bedi and Sgt. Carl Grellette are alleged to have accepted bribes. Police allege the bribes were tied to providing protection from a law enforcement investigation linked to illegal cannabis dispensaries.
Hogan also said Const. Derek McCormick was arrested in connection with the alleged theft of personal property from a police facility. Police allege the items included driver’s licences, health cards and passports, and said a substantial amount was recovered.
York Regional Police said 19 additional suspects have been arrested and charged, including two youths whose ages were not provided.
Teschner said Project South shows what can happen when an organization identifies a serious problem and pursues it. He said the province’s role now is to examine the broader system, including vetting and access controls, to ensure safeguards are strong across Ontario policing.
