On February 5, 2026, Chief Demkiw participated in a joint press conference with senior York Regional Police officers, including Chief MacSween, in announcing serious criminal charges against seven Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers.
The information provided at the press conference focused on the criminal investigation. Under Ontario’s police oversight framework, separate obligations also arise in relation to potential professional misconduct under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), including the obligation of the Chief to notify the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) where potential misconduct by police officers may have occurred.
The CSPA creates a framework whereby the Ministry of the Solicitor General, police services boards, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the Inspector General of Policing (IG), Chiefs of Police (Chiefs) and the Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner (Commissioner) are obligated to notify the Complaints Director of potential misconduct. This framework supports a comprehensive network of police oversight and public accountability.
Subsection 197(1) of the CSPA and O. Reg. 406/23 requires a Chief to notify the Director if they become aware that a sworn member of their service may have engaged in misconduct that impacts members of the public. Upon such a notification, section 208 requires that the Chief take no further steps until the Complaints Director decides what is in the public interest.
On February 6, 2026, TPS submitted several notifications about the alleged misconduct to LECA. Based on all the information to date, Director Leach determined that it is in the public interest for LECA to assume control of the conduct investigation. LECA is an independent agency mandated to conduct public interest investigations, and it is in the public interest that allegations of this nature be investigated by LECA rather than by a police service.
As with any notification under the CSPA, LECA’s conduct investigation will not interfere with any ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions, nor does the initiation of a conduct investigation displace the right of members of the public to submit a related complaint. For these reasons, Director Leach will liaise with York Regional Police and assigned Crown prosecutors and review any public complaints that may be filed.
Director Leach is aware of the joint request by the Toronto Police Service Board and Chief Demkiw for the Inspectorate of Policing (IOP) to conduct an inspection in relation to several identified areas. Pursuant to s. 133 of the CSPA, the Complaints Director also has authority to initiate a systemic review where appropriate. As contemplated by the Act, the Inspector General and the Complaints Director will keep each other informed and may coordinate their respective work where mandates overlap. Director Leach has spoken with the Inspector General, Ryan Teschner, and they have discussed their respective mandates and the importance of ensuring a coordinated and efficient oversight approach.
Director Leach assures the public that an independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct against the identified Toronto Police Service officers will be undertaken, together with any further misconduct allegations that may arise in the course of the ongoing criminal investigations.
More information about LECA, public interest investigations and general questions and answers can be found online at: Law Enforcement Complaints Agency
MEDIA CONTACT:
Email: lecamedia@ontario.ca
