Ontario’s police oversight and leadership organizations are welcoming an independent review into integrity and anti-corruption practices across the province’s policing system.
The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police say the review, announced by the province’s Inspector General of Policing, follows the troubling findings of the Project South investigation. In a joint statement, the groups said the allegations are "profoundly troubling," warning that "when organized crime infiltrates policing, the harm extends far beyond the individuals involved and poses a serious risk to public confidence in policing itself."
The associations said the investigation "strikes at the very heart of public trust," adding that trust is essential for police to "serve communities effectively and keep people safe."
They emphasized that independent oversight is critical, noting that it is "fundamental to maintaining confidence in policing and police governance." The Inspectorate of Policing, they said, plays a key role in independently examining conduct, compliance, and ethical standards across Ontario’s police system.
The organizations believe the review’s findings could lead to improvements province-wide, saying it "may provide valuable insights that could support continuous improvement in police governance practices," and help ensure police leaders meet Ontarians’ expectations for "integrity, accountability, and effectiveness."
The statement also stresses a united stance across the sector, saying police boards and leaders are "determined to support police service boards and police leaders in fulfilling their vital governance and operational responsibilities."
The groups conclude by stating plainly that "corruption has no place in policing," calling it "a direct attack on public confidence," and adding that “protecting the public trust is non-negotiable.”
