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Seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer have been arrested in connection with an organized crime investigation that uncovered alleged bribery, conspiracy to commit murder, and drug trafficking, authorities announced Thursday.
Police officials revealed that the officers illegally collected personal and private information and shared it with organized crime figures, sometimes in exchange for bribes. These criminal organizations subsequently used this information to carry out shootings and other violent crimes.
“This is a painful and unsettling moment,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said at a news conference. “When organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing.”
The investigation began in June when York Police uncovered a plot to murder a corrections management employee who was being targeted by mobsters. According to York Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan, the officers had passed information about the employee to organized crime members.
Suspected mobsters visited the corrections manager’s home with the intent to kill him but encountered police officers who were protecting the employee. The suspects were arrested after ramming a police vehicle. Hogan noted this was the third time within 36 hours that suspects had appeared at the home, which prompted the broader investigation that exposed the officers’ involvement.
Investigators allege that Toronto police Constable Timothy Barnhardt provided personal information to Brian Da Costa, a key suspect in the case who faces multiple drug trafficking and bribery charges. Da Costa allegedly sought confidential information from officers and operated within a criminal network that extended beyond the Greater Toronto Area.
“We allege that Mr. Da Costa is a key figure in a criminal network operating within the Greater Toronto Area, with in fact significant international ties,” Hogan explained.
Among those charged are Toronto police officers Derek McCormick, Elias Mouawad, John Madeley Jr., and his father, retired constable John Madeley Sr. Additional officers implicated include Robert Black, Saurabjit Bedi, and Carl Grellette, who allegedly participated in bribery schemes orchestrated by Da Costa.
“We allege that these officers in particular were involved with Mr. Da Costa in supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to provide, ultimately, protection from law enforcement investigation,” Hogan said. He added that some of the accused officers were also allegedly involved in cocaine trafficking operations.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of 19 additional suspects, including two minors, alongside Da Costa.
Chief Demkiw confirmed that the implicated officers have been suspended from duty, and he is pursuing suspension without pay for at least four of them. The case represents a significant breach of public trust in one of Canada’s largest police forces.
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween described it as a “deeply disappointing and sad day” for law enforcement. “This investigation also underscores the insidious corrosive of organized crime. It highlights how these criminals find a way even the most well protected institutions across our society.”
The scandal has prompted the Toronto Police Service Board to request that the inspector general examine issues including supervision practices, recruitment screening procedures, and database access protocols within the force.
Clayton Campbell, president of Toronto’s police association, expressed dismay over the allegations. “In fact, there is nothing our members or the Toronto Police Association hate more than a corrupt cop,” Campbell said in a statement. He noted that legal support for officers facing criminal charges is not guaranteed and is determined case by case.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the importance of public trust in the police force. “Residents of Toronto deserve to know that the police officers they deal with every day can be trusted,” she said.
The case highlights the vulnerability of law enforcement agencies to corruption and infiltration by organized crime, even in departments with established oversight mechanisms. It also underscores the dangers posed when sensitive information falls into criminal hands, potentially compromising public safety and the integrity of the justice system.
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15 Comments
This kind of criminal activity by the police is simply unacceptable. The public must be able to rely on law enforcement to uphold the law, not break it. I hope the department takes strong disciplinary action.
Absolutely. These officers deserve to face the full consequences of their actions. The integrity of the entire police force is at stake here.
The fact that these officers were allegedly sharing sensitive information with organized crime groups is especially concerning. This kind of breach of trust is a huge problem that erodes the public’s faith in law enforcement.
Absolutely. Police officers cannot be allowed to use their positions for personal gain or to assist criminal enterprises. Strict accountability measures are essential.
This is a truly disturbing development. The public relies on the police to uphold the law, not violate it. Rigorous investigations and severe consequences for these officers are necessary to restore confidence.
Unacceptable that police officers would betray their duty to the public by engaging in criminal activities. This speaks to a deeper cultural issue that needs to be addressed through comprehensive reforms.
Corruption within the police force is always deeply troubling. These officers clearly betrayed the public trust in the most egregious way. I hope the department takes decisive action to root out this kind of criminal behavior.
Agreed. Allowing organized crime to infiltrate law enforcement is a recipe for disaster. Serious reforms are needed to prevent this from happening again.
Shocking to see police officers involved in such serious crimes. This undermines the credibility of law enforcement and raises serious concerns about corruption. Thorough investigations and transparent accountability are crucial.
This is a disturbing development that highlights the importance of strong oversight and accountability measures within law enforcement. The public must be able to trust that the police will uphold the law, not break it.
I’m appalled to hear about this abuse of power by the Toronto police. Collusion with organized crime is a major betrayal of public trust. Rigorous reforms are needed to root out corruption in the department.
This is deeply troubling news. Corruption within law enforcement is a major problem that erodes public trust. I hope the investigation is thorough and those responsible are held fully accountable.
Agreed. Police officers abusing their power and colluding with organized crime is a betrayal of their sworn duty to protect the public.
This is a real wake-up call about the need for greater oversight and accountability within law enforcement. Allowing criminal elements to infiltrate the police force is a recipe for disaster. The public deserves so much better.
Agreed. Serious systemic changes are needed to prevent something like this from happening again. Public confidence in the police must be restored.