By Paul Cross, The Canadian Press
Toronto (CP) -- The RCMP has stepped out of the shadows to reveal it was the Mounties who first tipped Toronto police to the most recent allegations of wrongdoing and corruption within its force.
“Organized crime investigations, on occasion, encounter circumstances where the conduct of public officials is unethical and sometimes criminally suspect,” Chief Supt. Ben Soave told a hastily arranged news conference Thursday.
Soave had just reported to the Toronto Police Services Board, for the first time, that a continuing investigation by his RCMP unit prompted Toronto police to disband an undercover unit and suspend its members earlier this month.
One of the suspended officers is a son of a former Toronto police chief.
Soave said allegations against some Toronto police officers were brought to him by members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit he leads. The unit specializes in organized crime investigations and comprises members of the RCMP, Toronto police, CSIS and other organizations.
Soave said when he was told of the allegations, he went directly to the professional standards branch of the Toronto police.
RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Paradis said the probe has been underway for about a year.
Alan Heisey, chairman of the Toronto Police Services Board, interrupted a meeting of the body today to reveal publicly that the group had received a briefing from Soave about “an ongoing investigation that involves some members of the Toronto police service.”
“There has been and continues to be an independent investigation of the recent allegations” of wrongdoing by some Toronto police officers, Heisey said. “We’re now in a position to disclose this information.”
There have been calls from the public as well as some municipal and provincial politicians for an outside investigation.
Soave told the news conference his group “will leave no stone unturned.”
Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino said his force is a “partner” with the RCMP and the special unit in the ongoing investigation.
In a subtle indication of the roles the forces are playing, the news conference was conducted by the RCMP’s Paradis, even though it was held at Toronto police headquarters.
Heisey maintained the probe is independent of the Toronto force, which is a member of the Combined Forces Unit.
“Whatever the Toronto police service does, it can’t do it without Mr. Soave’s consent. . .he’s in charge,” Heisey said. “The chain of command in this particular matter, even though there are Toronto police officers on the foreground. . .ends with the RCMP because of the connection of these allegations to other matters.”
Fantino and Soave would not reveal the scope or nature of the investigation.
Paradis said the allegations relate to an undercover squad at the city’s downtown 52 division.
Four Toronto officers, including William McCormack Jr., the older son of former chief William McCormack have been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation, and the unit was disbanded.
Fantino has indicated criminal charges are possible there.
Paradis said the allegations are separate from two other ongoing cases involving Toronto officers.
In one case, six members of a Toronto drug squad were charged with criminal offences in January, and their unit disbanded.
Court documents show an RCMP investigation into the squad was hampered by obstruction and even death threats against witnesses.
That investigation was specifically requested by Fantino.
In yet another unrelated case, four Toronto police officers from one division were charged Monday under the Ontario Police Services Act.
They face a total of 14 charges including discreditable conduct.
One of those charged is Const. Mike McCormack, another son of the former police chief. His lawyer has dismissed the charges which are before a police tribunal.