A Toronto police officer found guilty of sexually harassing a junior female colleague by touching her buttocks has been demoted for six months, a penalty critics argue highlights a lenient approach to misconduct within the service.
Disciplinary Tribunal Finds Officer Guilty
Constable Usman Haroon, an officer with the Toronto Police Service since 2007, was found guilty under the Police Services Act for an incident that occurred in November 2015. The disciplinary tribunal heard that Haroon placed his hand on the buttocks of a junior female officer as they exited an elevator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) while both were on duty and in uniform. The encounter was captured on video.
Hearing officer Inspector Suzanne Redman dismissed the defense's argument that the act was not sexual. In her decision, she stated the action was "overtly sexual in nature and absolutely shocking." She concluded that an objective member of the public would view it as workplace sexual harassment, or even a sexual assault.
A History of Problematic Conduct
The 2015 incident was not Haroon's first disciplinary issue involving female colleagues. In January 2023, he was found guilty under the Police Services Act for punching a fellow officer in the arm in 2009 after she refused his driving directions. That officer testified she had previously endured Haroon's sexual "gutter talk" and unwanted touching, but decided to come forward years later after learning he faced other charges.
In the recent case, Haroon pleaded guilty to one count of discreditable conduct last year. In return, several other serious allegations were withdrawn, including claims he placed his hand on the junior officer's upper leg and moved her hand to his groin while in a police vehicle.
Light Penalty Imposed Despite Strong Words
Despite Inspector Redman calling the misconduct "offensive and disturbing" and emphasizing that sexual harassment "cannot and should not be tolerated ever," the penalty imposed was a six-month demotion to second-class constable. She also ordered further training from the service's Respectful Workplace Unit.
Redman acknowledged that both the public and police members were watching the case closely to see if such harassment is taken seriously, stating a "significant penalty" was necessary. However, she noted the prosecution had argued for the light penalty, and said she would have considered a harsher one if it had been requested.
Haroon's lawyer had argued for a penalty of just five days' docked pay, portraying his client as an exemplary officer whose career had been in limbo. Haroon was suspended with pay in 2017.
In her ruling, Redman issued a warning to Constable Haroon, stating that the disposition was a chance to reform and that "a disposition of dismissal will most certainly be entertained" for any future similar conduct.
