The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner, Thomas Carrique, released a comprehensive statement on Thursday night, defending the integrity of an OPP investigation concerning the conduct of three Toronto Police officers during the murder trial of Umar Zameer. The OPP's investigation concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that the officers had lied or colluded during their testimonies related to the death of Detective-Constable Jeffrey Northrup. However, Zameer’s lawyer, Nader Hasan, has voiced concerns about potential bias in the police-on-police probe.
The investigation was initiated by Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw after Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy instructed the jury to consider the possibility that the officers, key witnesses for the prosecution—Sgt. Lisa Forbes, Det-Const. Antonio Correa, and Det-Const. Scharnil Pais—might have colluded in their testimonies. Hasan has since questioned the impartiality of the OPP’s findings and is calling for a public inquiry to examine police conduct during the trial.
Hasan expressed his skepticism regarding the integrity of police investigations into other police officers, stating, “We expected the worst from a police investigation into other police. These types of reviews invariably range from the inadequate to outright whitewashing.” He emphasized the need to rectify the narrative surrounding the OPP report, which he claims represents a troubling moment in the Canadian justice system.
In response to these allegations, Carrique defended the OPP’s investigation, emphasizing that it was conducted independently by the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). He assured that the CIB operates under strict investigative standards, legal requirements, and internal review processes. “Their conclusion was reached after re-examining all available evidence, following every lead, and adhering to established procedures," he stated.
Hasan is not only advocating for an inquiry into the officers' conduct but is also requesting that both the OPP and Toronto Police Service (TPS) release the full collision report that served as a basis for the conclusions reached in the report released earlier that week. He also seeks transparency by requesting all communications regarding the investigation between the OPP, TPS, and the Toronto Police Association (TPA).
Carrique responded firmly, stating he takes exception to any claims suggesting that the criminal investigation lacked independence or was influenced by another service. “The OPP recognizes the importance of maintaining public trust, especially when police are the subject of an investigation,” he asserted. He further clarified that there is no legislated independent body in Ontario tasked with conducting criminal investigations of police services, except for the Special Investigations Unit, which has a specific mandate not applicable in this case.
Northrup, a plainclothes officer, was killed when Zameer's vehicle struck him in July 2021 at the underground parking garage of Toronto City Hall. Zameer was acquitted two years ago. The OPP's expert analysis concluded that Northrup was standing upright when the vehicle moved forward, contradicting testimonies from both expert witnesses during the trial. Carrique defended the accuracy of this conclusion, asserting that the OPP’s Collision Reconstructionists relied solely on physical evidence and did not read witness statements or trial testimonies to avoid bias.
Carrique reiterated that the OPP Collision Reconstructionists are trained specialists who utilize a range of investigative materials to determine the circumstances surrounding vehicle collisions. Their findings and methodologies are rooted in a commitment to unbiased and thorough investigation practices.
