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A spokesman for the Toronto Police Service acknowledged that members of the public have made complaints about police officers parking illegally while on their paid-duty assignments, and said the allegations have prompted investigations.

“Police officers on paid-duty are subject to the same traffic and parking laws as anyone else,” said Mark Pugash. “There is no excuse for it. If they have parked illegally they will be held accountable.”

Mr. Pugash said the Toronto Police Service would disqualify its officers from working paid duties for a fixed amount of time if they are ignoring parking bylaws.

“It can be a significant period of time,” he said, declining to specify how long these officers would be prevented from working paid duties. “There also is a disciplinary step taken against them that becomes part of their record.”

But Mr. Pugash said this punishment carries a heavy weight financially.

“If you’re used to doing paid duties and you can’t do paid duties, you forfeit the money you would have got.”

Many are critical of Toronto’s paid-duty system, for which the officers received $68 an hour this year, up from $66.50, when working at least three hours. Parking for free, particularly during downtown assignments, would add to the financial benefits for paid-duty officers.

Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack won’t defend officers who ignore parking rules. “The laws are the laws when parking vehicles and police officers are not above the law,” he said. “If they get a ticket then it’s the same as anybody else.”