They’re carrying a badge and a gun but also a criminal record.

A CityNews investigation reveals there are 59 police officers across the GTHA who have been convicted of serious crimes since 2013, and almost all of them have been deemed fit to keep their jobs in policing.

The incidents vary in severity and scope, from impaired driving and fraud to domestic violence and assault. Each resulted in criminal charges, trial, and ultimately guilty verdicts. The vast majority of officers, however, maintained their jobs in policing despite those convictions. Demotions, however, can result in significant financial consequences to the officer. And because Ontario is the only province that pays suspended officers, taxpayers have been footing the bill for the years it takes to wind through the criminal and tribunal systems.

Since 2013 the Toronto Police Service, which is the largest of the five forces, has had 31 of its officers scheduled to appear in front of a police tribunal to face discipline for their criminal convictions. The majority of the cases involve impaired driving. Only two were fired from the force. In one dismissal, an officer was convicted of assault after video emerged of him beating on a drunk and handcuffed suspect.

In the other incident, an officer was convicted of stealing ketamine during a drug bust, ingesting it in a police parking lot, and then stopping his car in a live lane of traffic.

But of the other 29 convicted, four, facing charges ranging from child porn to sex assault resigned before their tribunal could be held. The remaining officers kept their jobs in policing, including two who were found guilty of domestic violence. Their penalties: a forfeiture of 15 to 17 days’ work.

“Let’s take it in context,” says Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders, who notes these statistics only represent 0.375 per cent his force. “We know that this is an industry that deals with a lot of stress and sometimes that stress can turn into a lot of unlawful behaviour. So you have to take things into consideration as to what the cause is of the behaviour that may be criminal in nature and still try to strike a balance of being fair, but at the same time holding public trust at the forefront.”

“Where Is The Trust?”

The idea of a police officer being able to continue policing following a conviction carries major concern for outspoken police critic and lawyer Julian Falconer.

“This is someone who is responsible for carrying a gun, for the powers of arrest, and all the things that come with being a police officer,” he says, using the example of a police officer who has been convicted of domestic violence.

“The officer is out on the beat, they get called for a domestic violence call. They are now taking the statement of a complainant.They have just been convicted themselves of domestic assault. Where is the credibility of managing the situation? And where is the trust?” he asks.

“And what happens if and when that officer is testifying on the stand?”