Three Peel Police Officers Suspended as Project South Corruption Investigation Expands
In a significant development that underscores the widening scope of a major police corruption investigation, three Peel Regional Police officers have been administratively suspended. This action comes just one day after York Regional Police revealed shocking details about alleged corruption involving Toronto Police Service members in what has been dubbed "Project South."
Administrative Suspensions Without Charges
Peel Regional Police Constable Taylor Halfyard confirmed on Friday that while three officers have been suspended, none have been charged in connection with Project South. The suspensions are described as administrative in nature, pending further investigation by York Regional Police.
"The scope of the York Regional Police investigation is wide-reaching and ongoing," Halfyard explained. "PRP has administratively suspended three officers, pending further investigation by YRP."
This development marks a westward expansion of the corruption probe that initially focused on Toronto Police Service members. On Thursday, York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween announced that seven serving Toronto Police members and one retired officer face criminal charges related to police corruption, including an allegation of conspiracy to commit murder.
Union Response and Officer Impact
Peel Regional Police Association President Adrian Woolley confirmed the suspensions but emphasized that his members have not been arrested or charged. Woolley maintains that York Regional Police are merely "casting a wide net" and "tying up loose ends" in their investigation.
"We take the work York is doing seriously but it's important to say the Peel Police officers who are members of the Peel Police Association were not arrested or charged and we anticipate they will not be arrested or charged," Woolley stated.
The union president described the suspended officers as "gutted" by the development, noting that their families have been deeply affected. "The kids feel awful that they were mentioned in this," Woolley added, while expressing confidence that the officers would soon be cleared and return to duty.
Ongoing Investigation and Potential Further Developments
Both York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw have indicated that the Project South investigation remains active, with Demkiw stating he will seek to have four of the seven charged Toronto officers suspended without pay. The three Peel officers, meanwhile, have been suspended with pay.
"No stone will be left unturned," both police chiefs have emphasized regarding the ongoing probe. They have also hinted that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues to unfold.
The confirmation of Peel Regional Police involvement came Friday afternoon after days of speculation about potential further developments in the case. While no additional charges have been announced at this time, the expansion of the investigation to another police service represents a significant development in what authorities describe as a comprehensive corruption probe.
As the investigation progresses, all eyes remain on York Regional Police's Project South team, whose work has already resulted in multiple criminal charges and now administrative actions against officers in two separate police services.
