February 2026
I’m sickened, disgusted and angered with the announcement on 5 February by York Regional Police of the arrest of seven Toronto Police Service officers, one retired Toronto Police Service officer, along with 19 additional suspects in a seven-month investigation into organized crime and corruption. This was quickly followed by the suspension of two additional Toronto officers and three Peel Regional officers.
The investigation, dubbed ‘Project South,’ began in June 2025, after police uncovered and stopped a conspiracy to commit murder at a home in York Region of a senior Ontario correctional manager, morphed into 170 charges, including Peace Officer Accept a Bribe, Breach of Trust by Public Officer, Trafficking and Conspiracy to Traffic in Substances, Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Not Exceeding $5000, Careless Storage of Firearm, Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Possess Firearm at a Place Not Under Firearms Act, Breach of Trust by Public Officer and Unauthorized Use of Computer.
I served honourably as a police officer for over 20 years, and this is an unbelievable punch to the gut. I retired early due to PTSD that was caused by a toxic work environment and bullying by two senior officers and a sergeant, who made it their mission to make my life a living hell.
I was thrown away like the trash on the street because I got sick and needed help. Even my association did nothing to help me, partly because the sergeant I mentioned above was my association president. This is one reason why I’m particularly sickened, as I was gaslighted into thinking that I wasn’t good enough to be a cop. I never have, nor will I ever, profess to be perfect, but I’m absolutely NOT a criminal.
Not all police officers are corrupt bullies, but far too many of them are just that. I was never one, but I paid a big price regardless. At least I now have almost 10 years of sobriety (4 March), but I still suffer the effects of PTSD.
There is nothing new about corruption and unethical behaviour in policing, but these accusations are very, very disturbing. This is much more than fixing a parking ticket for a friend, or giving a criminal suspect a few extra shots in the face before putting him in the rear of your scout car (watch your head as you get in – oops, I hope that didn’t hurt too much).
If these charges are proven in court, these officers deserve to be sentenced to long penitentiary terms. Not to add any pressure to the Crown Attourney(s) assigned to prosecute these charges, but if there is any hope of restoring faith and trust in our police services, please don’t let anything stupid derail the prosecution of these officers. They deserve a fair trial, but so does the public.
Toronto police officers who have been charged:
- Timothy Barnhardt – Toronto Police Service constable
- Robert Black – Toronto Police Service sergeant
- John Madeley (Sr.) – Toronto Police Service constable (retired)
- John Madeley (Jr.) – Toronto Police Service constable
- Carl Grellette – Toronto Police Service sergeant
- Saurabjit Bedi – Toronto Police Service constable
- Derek McCormick – Toronto Police Service constable
- Elias Mouawad – Toronto Police Service constable
Several other civilian suspects were also identified by police on Thursday. Their charges include conspiracy to commit murder, in relation to a plan to murder an Ontario corrections manager, possession of a prohibited firearm, with ammunition, and disguise with intent.
Barnhardt was denied bail and is still confined in jail, at least until his next court appearance on 19 March. Four of the Toronto officers, including Barnhardt, have been suspended without pay, an option police chiefs in Ontario now have under the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, which replaced the former Police Services Act.
Additionally, the Toronto Police Association has stated publicly that they won’t necessarily cover the legal expenses of the charged officers, as their actions were not connected to the officer’s lawful exercise of duty.
Sources: https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/02/05/toronto-police-officers-arrested-in-plot-to-murder-ontario-corrections-officer/, Toronto police officer called ‘genesis’ of corruption probe denied bail | CBC News, Toronto police corruption probe reveals plot to kill corrections manager, Toronto police corruption: Seven officers arrested in probe.
