Representative image / IANS

Police colluding with gangsters and criminals is a known malaise of both developed and developing nations. But the level at which one of the trusted law enforcement agencies of Canada was found mixed with antisocial elements has sent shock waves not only in the business capital of the country but also to the rest of the world.

The revelation that the cops were involved in extortion, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit murder, and a slew of other crimes took a big hit on the credibility and neutrality of a force that people trust most.

Seven Toronto Police officers, along with one retiree, have been arrested and charged in one of the largest police corruption scandals in the city’s history. To ensure fair play, the investigations into the scandal that started seven months ago wasyouths have entrusted to York Regional Police.

Though the media had gone hoarse by highlighting bits and pieces of the worst-ever scandal that rocked the reputation of the law-enforcing agency, a final bombshell was released at a media conference, which was addressed, among others, by the Toronto police chief himself.

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It was video footage showing a triggerman blasting away at the York Region home of a Toronto South Corrections manager that triggered the investigation.

In addition, 19 additional suspects were arrested in the seven-month probe that began last July. The investigation uncovered deeply troubling connections between the allegedly rogue cops and organised crime figures.

Intriguingly, the brainchild behind the multifaceted scandal has been a senior cop, Constable Timothy Barnhardt.

On June 20, police said a suspect vehicle attended the residence of the corrections officer and collided with a marked York Regional Police cruiser that was parked at the home. Three suspects, including two youths and one adult, Almar Heath, were taken into custody.

Cops said most of the shooting incidents were not linked to the murderous tow truck wars that have ravaged the city and claimed numerous lives.

Members of the police-gangster group operated clandestinely, as they reportedly used to access the police databases linked to confidential information.

Initial investigations suggest that Barnhardt acted as the alleged ringleader. He and other cops would hack databases via unlawful inquiries.

A constable from Mississauga, 56-year-old Barnhardt, has been charged with accepting bribes, breach of trust, unauthorised use of a computer, drug trafficking, obstructing justice, and a slew of other charges.

“We understand this news is deeply disappointing for Torontonians and our members,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.

Throughout this investigation, our highest priority was to do everything possible to respond in a way that preserves the trust of the people we serve. From day one, that has meant offering our full support to the York Regional Police Service and to pursuing the evidence, wherever it leads.

“We have left no stone unturned. These are serious allegations, and I can assure Torontonians they will be met with an equally serious response from our service,” he said at the media interaction.

He further said that the accused officers have been suspended.

Timothy Barnhardt faces 17 charges, the most of any of the officers accused in the investigation. They include charges related to cocaine trafficking, bribery, and weapons.

Robert Black, a 42-year-old sergeant from Vaughan, faces four charges, including conspiring to obstruct justice, two drug trafficking charges, and counselling an uncommitted fraud.

Interestingly, among the arrested cops is a father-son duo. The father, a retired constable from Barrie, 55-year-old John Madeley Sr., has been charged with breach of trust, four counts of unauthorised use of a computer, possession of a prohibited firearm and device, and possession of more than $5,000 worth of property obtained by crime.

His 29-year-old son, a constable from Vaughan, faces two charges: breach of trust and unauthorised use of a computer.

Carl Grellette, a 49-year-old sergeant from Vaughan, also faces four charges in the investigation. They include breach of trust and harassment by repeatedly following another person.

Saurabjit Bedi, a constable from Caledon, faces several conspiracy charges and one substance trafficking charge. The 38-year-old is accused of conspiring to obstruct justice, falsely accusing a person, accepting a bribe, and -evertrafficking a substance.

57-year-old Constable Derek McCormick from Toronto, too, has been charged with four counts of theft under $5,000, along with charges of breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

The 24-year-old constable from Mississauga, Elias Mouawad, has two charges, breach of trust and unauthorised use of a computer, slapped against him.

Besides these cops, Heath, a 28-year-old Toronto resident, and two other unnamed city youths have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, firearm offences, possession of property obtained by crime, and disguise with intent.

Brian Da Costa, 43, of Toronto, has a slew of drug offences, conspiracy and bribery charges, and failing to comply with a release order.

Elwyn Satanowsky, 34, of Richmond Hill, is alleged to have recklessly discharged a firearm multiple times and is also facing multiple conspiracy and other charges.

Brandi Dixon, a 35-year-old from Mississauga, is facing several drug possession and firearm charges, as well as failing to comply with a release order.

Kaejean Doman, 23, of Innisfil, is accused of attempting to commit murder, multiple firearm charges, possession of property obtained by crime, and other offences.

Robinson Alexandre, a 34-year-old resident of Toronto, is facing drug possession charges and other the trustedoffenses.

Ashor Bato, 31, of Bradford, is accused of multiple drug offences as well as possessing proceeds obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.

Donald Kirkland, a 62-year-old from Toronto, is accused of trafficking oxycodone and other drug possession offenses.

Rimssen Younan, 32, of Brampton, is facing drug trafficking charges and is accused of failing to comply with release orders.

Jennifer Jasey, a 57-year-old from Toronto, is accused of mischief, harassment, and two firearm offences.

Mahyar Soldouzi, 42, of Vaughan, has been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion.

Ryan Cribbie, a 33-year-old from Barrie, is accused of conspiracy to commit extortion and two firearm offences.

Median Jackson, 32, of Mississauga, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and recklessly discharging a firearm.

Devonte Barker-Campbell, 31, of Toronto, is facing a conspiracy to commit murder charge.

Calvin Ru, a 26-year-old from Markham, is alleged to have failed to comply with a release order and disobeyed a lawful court order.

Daljit Singh, 32, of Milton, is accused of unauthorised use of a computer.

Phillip Lecos, a 49-year-old from King, is facing a charge of possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.

After these arrests, the investigators are promising to restore the pride and honour of Toronto police while getting the charged cops and their accomplices brought to the confines of the law.

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