Toronto Police Chief Demkiw Launches Anti-Corruption Overhaul After Project South Scandal
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has initiated sweeping internal reforms aimed at rooting out corruption and addressing cultural deficiencies within the force, following explosive allegations revealed through the Project South investigation. Speaking at a Toronto Police Service Board meeting on Wednesday, Demkiw emphasized that while external oversight continues, substantial work is already underway internally to address systemic issues.
External Oversight and Internal Action
Demkiw acknowledged that Toronto Police are currently subject to what board chair Shelley Carroll described as a "thematic inspection" by Ontario's Inspectorate of Policing. The chief called this external review "essential" and pledged full cooperation, but stressed that parallel internal initiatives have already commenced. "The service is taking these allegations extremely seriously and the issues that they raise and a lot of work is already underway," Demkiw told the meeting, his voice noticeably hoarse as he addressed the board while seated with water bottles nearby.
Carroll emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: "Many in our city are concerned and are asking the hard questions and they deserve clear answers. Trust in policing is foundational." She noted that the provincial inspectorate possesses unique authority to issue legally binding directions for corrective action, distinguishing it from judicial inquiries that can only make recommendations.
Comprehensive Reform Projects
The internal response includes two major initiatives: an anti-corruption project and the "One TPS" cultural reform project. These comprehensive programs will run for at least two years and encompass multiple dimensions of police operations and culture. According to board discussions, the reforms will involve:
- Strengthening oversight mechanisms throughout the organization
- Reviewing and revising data-access policies to prevent misuse
- Implementing enhanced vetting procedures for new recruits
- Establishing rigorous fitness-for-duty evaluations
- Addressing cultural issues through the One TPS initiative
Demkiw specifically highlighted the cultural component, stating: "We have to look at culture, too. This is where the One TPS project comes in." The chief reported that immediate leadership and supervisory interventions have already been implemented, with special attention directed at 12 Division in North York, where most of the officers implicated in Project South allegations were stationed.
Project South Background and Legal Proceedings
The reform announcements come as Project South continues to progress through the legal system. The investigation by York Regional Police has resulted in criminal charges against seven current Toronto police officers and one retiree, with allegations ranging from drug trafficking to an attempted hit on a corrections manager at the Toronto South Detention Centre. Six of the seven charged officers were scheduled for court appearances this week, while civilian Brian Da Costa had bail set at $1.5 million on Wednesday.
Despite the significance of Demkiw's announcement, public participation was limited due to procedural timing. The chief's update was only added to the board agenda the day before the meeting, effectively preventing Torontonians from registering to speak on the matter. Following Demkiw's remarks, no members of the public addressed the board regarding the Project South response.
Demands for Specificity and Accountability
While police leadership provided broad outlines of their reform plans, specific details remained scarce. Willowdale Councillor Lily Cheng, who serves on the police board, pressed for concrete metrics and data to measure progress. "She said the board wants to 'see real progress and that comes with good data,'" seeking clarity on how Demkiw and senior leadership would assess the current state of organizational culture and track improvements over time.
Carroll indicated that the board wants the provincial inspection "to be accelerated where possible," reflecting urgency in addressing the corruption allegations. The chair noted that Ontario's Inspectorate of Policing "may be a relatively new oversight agency – some may have heard the name for the first time as a result of Project South – but in this case, it is exactly the tool that the province has put in place for moments just like this."
The comprehensive reform initiative represents the most significant internal overhaul of Toronto Police in recent years, responding directly to what Demkiw described as allegations being taken "extremely seriously" at all levels of the organization.
