@TorontoPolice News Conference re: Anti-Corruption Investigation

On Monday, June 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., Chief Mark Saunders will be available to the media regarding a Professional Standards investigation and charges laid in an alleged organized crime and anti-corruption investigation.

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has laid more than 50 charges in an anti-corruption investigation led by the Professional Standards unit.

The charges were laid against 11 individuals including a Toronto Police Service officer and employees from multiple tow truck companies.

In August 2019, the Service initiated an investigation into the theft of encrypted police radios.

The Service alleges:

- several tow truck employees from different companies were in possession of stolen police radios

- they used the radio's encrypted transmissions to learn about and arrive at traffic collisions before other tow truck drivers for financial gain

- the information transmissions were broadcasted by one driver to other tow truck drivers for a monthly fee

- at least one radio was stolen by a Toronto Police Service officer

Toronto Police obtained search warrants and arrests were made over the last two months with the assistance of York Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police. It is further alleged:

- three stolen radios, since recovered, are believed to have been stolen between February 2018 and December 2019 from the Toronto Police Service

- the Service recovered radios and radio parts belonging to other unidentified organizations, as well as various radio parts used for cloning

- six tow trucks have been seized

- a loaded firearm was also recovered

As previously announced, on Monday, June 15, 2020, the Toronto Police Service arrested and charged a TPS officer as part of this investigation. He was immediately suspended from the Service.

See previous press news release.

The officer, Constable Ronald Joseph, 47, of Toronto, was re-arrested on Thursday, June 18, 2020, and faces further charges of:

1) Three counts of Breach of Trust
2) Two counts of Secret Commissions
3) Counselling Offence that is not committed: Indictable offence (Breach of Trust)
4) Counselling Offence that is not committed: Indictable offence (Forgery)
5) Attempt- Fraud Over
6) Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization - Unauthorized Use of Computer
7) Participation in Activities of Criminal Organization - Unauthorized Use of Computer
8) Possession of Device to Intercept Private Communications
9) Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime

Ten others, including seven tow truck drivers, were also charged. They include:

Kevin Lima, 27, of Barrie, who has been charged with:

1) Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization - Unauthorized Use of Computer
2) Participation in Activities of Criminal Organization - Unauthorized Use of Computer
3) Interception of Private Communications
4) Interception of Radio Based Communications
5) Possession of Device to Intercept Private Communications
6) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over
7) Possession of Device to Intercept Private Communications
8) Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
9) Fail to Comply Undertaking

.............

For full news release, please visit:

All are scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 11 a.m.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A news conference was held on Monday, June 22, 2020, and can be viewed on YouTube.

[nathaliebriere]

We need your HELP!!! It has to begin somewhere, the cleaning of the swamp....Arrest The Criminals Politicians like Trudeau, Ford and Legault!!!!

[lifeok]

Amazing work so hard to think the levels people go to 😱

[anthonylee]

Police have no business in the tow truck business it should be private that’s your problem

[loriannmcdavid]

All corrupt officers OUT criminal charges and end Gang Stalking targeted individuals...let's be honest about mental health and what damage targeting has dine to ppl and how it has aided in terrorist activity VILE

[anthonybronson]

Again we must show a good EXAMPLE as officers other wise we become responsible for that role model we're teaching, we just don't buy this anymore guys comming from a enforcment diverse family group, we do know that the job comes with a mountain of stress and responsabilities but that's why it's a high paying job keeping in mind you are still under oath to serve and protect not damage control, we're not at war but then you may apply with in the military instead, this brought me to tell a younger family member no, you can not be a cop like your cousin we all can see the role model he will be following, instead he now wants to be a judge...

[ODogYT]

Im just looking at the comments to see your fights lol