TORONTO

The most damning indictment of Toronto Police this week may not even be the ten body blows of alleged street justice administered to a handcuffed man, as shown in their own video.

Already embarrassed by a judge who accused some officers of engaging in a dishonest cover up of the brutality, comes the second blow to their credibility in 48 hours.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit not only announced it was going to investigate the 2010 incident involving Raymond Costain but also pointed out that once again police did not tell them as they are mandated to do.

“The SIU learned of the incident through media reports,” said a news release from the SIU Friday.

It’s not the first time.

It’s not the second, third, fourth or fifth time, either.

In fact, Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin showed in his 2012 Oversight Undermined report that Toronto Police is the most incompliant service in Ontario when it comes to dealing with the SIU.

He highlighted director Ian Scott’s 82 letters of concern to Chief Bill Blair.

Looks like the lack of notification and co-operation has happened once again.

Toronto Police spokesman Mark Pugash told the Toronto Sun’s Chris Doucette Friday that Chief Bill Blair has now ordered a “comprehensive” investigation.

But who is going to investigate why no one at Toronto Police told the SIU?

Who is going to look into a lawyer’s cries that she was followed, photographed and intimidated by police officers as she tried to find justice for her beaten client?

At what point does the province’s attorney general, the mayor, council or Police Services Board say enough is enough?

Is it time for an outside, systematic review to determine what in the name of Sir Robert Peel is wrong at Toronto Police?

Or is Toronto Police not accountable to anybody?

The regular push-back is often aggressively mouthed by civilian Pugash.

In a January news release on a squabble with the SIU, Pugash made the comment, “Director Scott is wrong” and went on to publicly deride the SIU director.

Those who have respect for lawyer Scott were wondering why a media person was the voice of Toronto Police in a public battle with oversight?

Where was the chief?

And where is he on this judge’s lambasting of his officers now?

Dr. Alok Mukherjee and Councillor Michael Thompson, the Toronto Police Services Board chairman and vice-chairman, were the ones who called on Blair to take investigative action — which, through Pugash, he finally announced three years after the fact.

Said Mukherjee: “There are several reasons to be concerned about a development like this: 1) It does disservice to all those officers who do excellent work with integrity and commitment to community well being; 2) Someone against whom there may have been legitimate reason to take action goes free; 3) It is not good for public’s view of their police.”

He’s right and, although he also has a media spokesperson, he delivers his messages himself.

He understands the importance of not allowing both the confidence and prestige to fade away thanks to the actions of a few.

“The board has a very high expectation of the men and women who work for us. It demands that at all times our officers maintain the highest standards of professionalism, and discharge their duties with honesty and integrity,” said Mukherjee. “They receive rigorous training not only to enhance their technical skills but also with respect to ethics, judgment, human rights and so on. And we expect them to act accordingly.”

Usually they do — as illustrated Friday with several big arrests.

But sometimes a video shows up that shows otherwise.