The first black woman superintendent of the Toronto Police Service has been demoted for a minimum of two years over a cheating scandal.
Former Superintendent Stacy Clarke pleaded guilty to seven counts of professional misconduct in May for her involvement in helping six Black constables cheat on their promotional exams. A ruling on her conduct was handed down by the police tribunal on Wednesday.
During the May hearing, Clarke described her experience as “traumatic, painful, and disorienting,” adding that her actions were driven by a sense of frustration and despair over the perceived systemic barriers she faced within the service.
All of the instances of professional misconduct occurred in 2021, the year after Clarke was promoted to Superintendent when she became the first black female officer to hold that rank in the Toronto Police Service.
In May, police prosecutor Scott Hutchison recommended a harsher penalty for Clarke, advocating for a two-year demotion across two ranks, according to CP24. His proposal would have reduced Clarke by two ranks to staff sergeant for one year, followed by a year as an inspector, one rank below superintendent, before she could reapply for her former position.
Clarke’s lawyer, Joseph Markson, argued for a shorter demotion period of 12 to 18 months to the rank of inspector, with automatic reinstatement to superintendent afterwards.
The hearing officer ruled that automatic reinstatement was inappropriate.
A middle ground was found, and Clarke will be demoted to inspector for at least two years. She will be able to reapply for her former rank afterwards.
The Toronto Police Service issued a press release on Wednesday saying that it respects the case’s outcome.
“Leaders at the Service are held to the highest standards of conduct, and we take any allegations of misconduct seriously,” reads the release.
The Toronto Police Service said it has implemented various reforms over recent years, overhauling hiring and promotional processes and diversifying its workforce.
“We are committed, in partnership with the Toronto Police Service Board, to meaningful change and continuous improvement to create a respectful, safe, and inclusive workplace,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw. “As a service, we are listening. We continue to acknowledge that while we are on a path of change, more needs to be done to build trust with our communities and our members.”
Clarke’s actions, which involved providing six black constables with answers to promotional exams in 2021, were described by her defence as a desperate attempt to counteract what she perceived as systemic barriers preventing Black officers from advancing within the service.
After images emerged of her providing officers with answers in the promotional process, she pleaded guilty to all seven charges — three counts of breach of confidence, three counts of discreditable conduct, and one count of insubordination.
The other officers involved in the scandal received between ten and 20 days of unpaid suspension.
“While the underlying reasons for her misconduct help make it seem less nefarious, [Clarke] single-handedly brought down these officers who showed promise as future leaders in the Toronto Police Service,” said hearing officer Robin McElary-Downer. “Her fingerprints are forever etched on their damaged careers.”
