The Toronto Police Department’s drug squad is under a major corruption investigation by the RCMP. Many officers in Toronto’s Central Field Command drug squad have been named in citizen complaints and civil lawsuits. Complaints against the officers include false arrest, forgery and theft.
The two-year, $3 million RCMP investigation has been shrouded in secrecy, with much of the evidence sealed by the court. City officials have already paid off some lawsuits without admitting fault, and over 200 charges laid by drug officers have been withdrawn by prosecutors.
Meanwhile, eight former drug squad officers who are under investigation have launched a lawsuit against internal affairs investigators, claiming “malicious prosecution.” In their suit, officers allege that drug squad officers in another unit were the ones actually engaging in criminal activity.
