Toronto police have launched an internal investigation after a veteran police officer wrote a scathing letter that criticized Mayor John Tory and accused him of being a “direct contributor” to gun violence in the city.

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said a professional standards investigation has been launched in the wake of the letter, which was leaked to the media.

“Right now, there are conflicting points between what has been reported in the media and what our investigation has uncovered,” Saunders said in a statement late Friday night. Saunders’ statement did not name the officer.

The officer, Sgt. Mark Hayward, confirmed in an email to the Star on Saturday that he is under investigation and could not comment on the letter.

In a statement to the Star on Saturday, Tory said it was “clear” to him the letter was “part of a campaign” by Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack against Toronto police’s modernization efforts. Tory says McCormack is not being a “partner” in the city’s fight against gun violence and said he was engaging in a “dangerous set of tactics.”

“In fact, he has fought us every step of the way over the last two years,” said Tory. “I think that’s deeply regrettable.”

Tory said in his statement McCormack could have “more readily agreed” to make changes around police shift schedules, which the mayor suggests would have allowed the city to deploy more officers in specific areas.

“But he didn’t do that and we’ve lost two years,” said Tory.

McCormack said the Police Association, a union which represents over 8,000 uniformed and civilian members, could not agree on a shift model with the city.

“We got tired of waiting for them and the modernization plan,” he said.

McCormack denies any involvement in the officer’s letter to the mayor, but said it is a “reflection of what the association feels.”

“To dismiss that officer’s legitimate concerns would send a very distasteful message to my membership,” McCormack told the Star. “Our members are frustrated so of course they’re going to vent.”

Hayward’s letter blasted Tory for the cancellation of the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) program, a provincial task force that had the highest rate of carding in Toronto’s police force. Hayward was on TAVIS from 2010 until it was disbanded in January 2017, amid criticism that it had a negative impact on racialized communities. He is currently a road sergeant at 52 Division.

“It is obvious Chief Saunders is a puppet on strings and you are pulling them,” said Hayward’s letter, according to Global news. “You have zero qualifications to run a police service and should be hands off, to allow the police to do what they do best.”

McCormack said while he didn’t agree with the medium through which Hayward expressed his views, he agrees with the sentiment of the letter, specifically regarding TAVIS, which he calls a “successful program.”

“I’m not going to sit here and argue people’s experience. I can tell you that for a police officer, properly done street checks are of value to an investigation,” he said. “But the community said ‘we don’t care how valuable you say they are, we think that the erosion of the community relationship outweighs it.’”

Saunders said the “modernization” of the Toronto’s Police Service was based on 32 recommendations from members of the public and people with the police service and that the force has Tory’s “full support.” The modernization action plan was launched in 2017 and suggested changes including the disbanding of TAVIS and strategies to improve relations with the public, particularly marginalized communities.

The police force is working with city hall and all levels of government to address violence and develop “appropriate responses to those who chose a criminal lifestyle,” he added.

“It has been very clear to us throughout this process that there is not one solution to these very complex issues,” said Saunders. “We will not be distracted by those who are trying to hinder our modernization efforts.”

Tory said he’s been focused on supporting Saunders in his “quest to strengthen police presence through hiring and redeployment and advocating for tougher gun and bail laws” but that he’s also determined “to do more to strengthen communities.”

“Others will have to decide whether they want to partner with all communities and all governments or continue with statements and activities which hurt more than help,” he said.

Toronto police have been dealing with a recent upswing in gun violence in the city. So far this year, there have been 208 shooting incidents, with 24 resulting in fatalities, according to police statistics that cover the period up to July 3. The city has seen a 122 per cent increase in homicides so far this year — at 51, compared to 23 for the same period in 2017. The total number of homicides for 2017 was 61.

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Saunders said the officer behind the letter will face disciplinary action if the investigation concludes there was misconduct.

Toronto police’s professional standards unit investigates officers involved in incidents where there are serious public complaints or other complaints regarding the conduct of officers.

With files from Wendy Gillis

Premila D’Sa is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @premila_dsa

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