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Police services in Waterloo region and Guelph both say they welcome an independent review announced Monday by Ontario’s inspector general of policing.
Ryan Teschner announced all police services in the province will undergo a review after a corruption investigation involving current and retired officers with the Toronto Police Service. Officers have also been suspended in relation to the investigation by the police service in Peel Region.
The officers are accused of having been involved in serious criminal activity including conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robbery and drug trafficking.
All 45 police services in the province and their boards, including the Ontario Provincial Police, will be reviewed by an external investigator, he said.
“I understand that the public is watching. I understand that these issues need to be dealt with and addressed swiftly, but I’m also committed to doing so properly, ” Teschner said, adding once the review is done, the findings will be published online.
Last week, several police officers from Toronto were charged in a corruption probe. Three officers from the Peel region were later suspended in connection. Ontario’s inspector general of policing has announced all 45 police forces in the province — and their boards — will be reviewed by an external investigator, with the findings to be made public.
Review ‘can provide valuable insights’
Cherri Greeno, director of corporate affairs for the Waterloo Regional Police Service, said the service “welcomes the announcement today regarding a province-wide independent review.”
“We value any recommendations that support the continuous improvement of police governance practices and that ensures we continue providing adequate and effective policing to the community,” Greeno said.
“We want to reassure the community that safeguarding personal information and maintaining transparency and accountability within our organization is of the utmost importance.”
Peter McSherry, chair of the Guelph Police Service Board, said the service also “welcomes today’s announcement of an independent review of the province’s policing sector, following the troubling allegations which came to light last week.”
“When the integrity of even a few police officers is questioned, it can adversely impact all officers and undermine public trust,” McSherry said.
“This review by the inspector general of policing can provide valuable insights which support continuous improvement in policing practices and maintain public confidence in Ontario’s police services.”
5 areas to be reviewed
The Toronto Police Service Board said on Feb. 5 that allegations of criminal conduct by any member will be “taken extremely seriously” and called on Teschner to do a review of the service, including looking at recruitment screening, evidence management practices, access to police databases, and more.
CBC’s Ali Chiasson breaks down the latest on what’s being called one of the biggest corruption scandals in Toronto police history, which saw seven active-duty Toronto police officers and one retired officer charged.
The inspector general’s investigation of all Ontario police services will focus on five specific areas, Teschner said, including:
- How officers are supervised and how effective that supervision is.
- Screening and vetting of officers, both at recruitment and on an ongoing basis as they move through their careers.
- Access to police databases and information systems.
- Evidence and property management.
- Substance abuse and fitness for duty.
Teschner previously worked as the executive director and chief of staff of the Toronto police board and said he would appoint an external person to lead the investigations as a “safeguard.”
He said the external inspector will report back to him, and he will then determine if there is any non-compliance with policing legislation.
The external inspector’s report will be published online, Teschner said.
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