Watchdog probes alleged misconduct by Toronto, Peel police officers linked to Project South | CBC News

"The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) has launched "public-interest" investigations into misconduct allegations linked to Project South, a lengthy probe into organized crime and corruption involving members of the Toronto police, the agency said in an email Thursday. "The decision to initiate these investigations was based on the information and allegations before the Complaints Director at this time," the agency said in an email."

"On Feb. 5, York Regional Police said they had arrested and charged seven Toronto police officers and one retired Toronto police officer, as well as 19 additional suspects, as part of Project South. Investigators allege that the accused officers were involved in serious criminal activity, including conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robbery and drug trafficking."

"LECA has said its investigations will not interfere with any ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions, nor does the launch of a conduct investigation displace the right of members of the public to submit related complaints."

The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) has initiated public-interest investigations into misconduct allegations involving ten police officers from Toronto and Peel regions linked to Project South, a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption. In February, York Regional Police arrested and charged seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer, along with 19 other suspects, alleging involvement in serious crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking. Three Peel police officers were suspended in connection with the same investigation. LECA, which has jurisdiction over municipal police services in Ontario, assumed control of the misconduct investigations and stated these inquiries will not interfere with ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions.

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