Ontario police oversight agency to investigate 3 Peel cops suspended in relation to Project South

A Peel Police shoulder patch is seen in Mississauga, Ont., on July 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

The province’s independent civilian oversight agency dealing with police misconduct complaints says it will investigate allegations against three Peel Regional Police officers who are suspended in the wake of the bombshell corruption investigation.

The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) made the announcement on Thursday.

Peel Regional Police (PRP) confirmed on Feb. 6 that three officers were administratively suspended, pending further investigation by York Regional Police (YRP).

The suspensions were handed out after YRP revealed disturbing allegations of corruption involving seven Toronto police officers.

Dubbed “Project South,” investigators allege several officers made numerous unlawful queries that produced confidential personal information, which was later shared with people believed to be linked to criminal groups.

Investigators indicated the address of a corrections manager was among the information leaked. Police said there was a plot to murder the manager, which they successfully foiled.

Peel police would not say how the three suspended officers are linked to Project South, only pointing out that they had not been criminally charged.

According to LECA, PRP notified the agency about the alleged misconduct of the three officers on Monday.

“Based on all the information to date, Director (Stephen) Leach determined that it is in the public interest for LECA to assume control of the conduct investigation,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday.

LECA noted that its investigation will not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation into Project South. The agency added that Leach will liaise with YRP and Crown prosecutors during his investigation.

“I want to assure the public that we will be conducting an independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct related to Project South, together with any further misconduct allegations that may arise in the course of the ongoing criminal investigations,” said Leach.

LECA is already investigating the conduct of the seven Toronto police officers charged in Project South.