OPP Report Vindicates TPS Officers
An independent investigation has cleared three Toronto Police Service officers who were accused of lying and colluding in their testimony regarding the death of Detective Constable Jeffrey Northrup.
A review by the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch found no evidence to support claims that Detective Lisa Forbes and Detective Constables Tony Correa and Scharnil Pais coordinated false statements or misled investigators. (Read the news release and report)
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, Chief Myron Demkiw requested the independent review.
“For nearly three years, these officers lived under accusations that they had lied under oath and obstructed justice, allegations that go directly to the integrity of a police officer,” he said at a news conference at police headquarters on March 17. “Their reputations were questioned publicly and repeatedly. Their credibility was challenged. And in the court of public opinion, some had already convicted them. That is an extraordinarily heavy burden for anyone to carry.”
Northrup and Forbes were responding to a 9-1-1 call for a robbery in progress when a vehicle struck Northrup in Toronto City Hall’s underground parking garage. He succumbed to his injuries on July 2, 2021.
Demkiw said the officers had to contend with the allegations after already experiencing something deeply traumatic.
“They witnessed the death of their colleague and, in Detective Forbes’ case, the death of her partner, someone she was exceptionally close to, right in front of them,” he said. “The independent investigation has now determined they did not lie. But the personal toll this process has taken on these officers has been enormous.”
The Chief noted that the report identified deficiencies in the original Toronto Police Service collision reconstruction.
“Those findings reinforce the need to continue strengthening investigative review, accountability and oversight within the Service,” Demkiw said.
Over the past five years, the Traffic Services Collision Reconstruction Unit has undergone significant changes in training and investigative practices.
“These improvements reflect an ongoing effort to strengthen the quality, rigour and oversight of collision reconstruction work, in addition to broader efforts to improve quality assurance across the Service,” Demkiw said. “We owe it to the legacy of Detective Constable Jeff Northrup to continue doing everything we can to improve as an organization. I am committed to this ongoing work.”
He commended Forbes, Correa and Pais for their resilience, as well as the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch for conducting a thorough and independent review.
“Their work ensured that the allegations were examined objectively and with the rigour such serious assertions require,” Demkiw added.
Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell read a statement on behalf of the three officers.
“We would like to begin by thanking the OPP team for their efforts. We fully cooperated with the investigation, and we appreciate the results. Our only wish was for the truth to come out, no matter how long it took. We also want to thank Margaret (Northrup) for her steadfast support. We miss Jeff every day and remain dedicated to honouring his memory through our service. We ask the media to respect our privacy during this time so we can grieve and move forward together, something we have been unable to do since July 2, 2021.”
Clayton said his focus was on the vindication of TPS members Today, our focus is on the vindication of Detective Forbes and Detective Constables Correa and Pais.
“For two years, our members and Jeff’s family, especially Margaret, have patiently waited for the OPP to finish its review. I would like to join the Chief in acknowledging the investigative team's efforts and, on behalf of our membership, extend our thanks for your diligence and attention to detail, regardless of the outcome,” Campbell said. “Many issues were identified, and we have confidence in the Chief to make any necessary changes.”
