Toronto legislation enforcement officer Stacy Clarke has truly been handed a two-year downgrading to the rating of assessor for her part in what corrective listening to police officer Robin McElary-Downer referred to as a “cheating scheme” in a Wednesday cops act tribunal selection.
“I found there is sufficient and tangible evidence in front of me that finds [Clarke’s] actions amply illustrated abuse of position and abuse of power,” McElary-Downer claimed. “This makes her an unsuitable candidate to be routinely reinstated to the rank of superintendent. Supt. Clarke might want to reapply down the street.
“When she does, I’m genuinely confident she will certainly show her preparedness to offer at the ranking of superintendent.”
Clarke’s defence lawyer Joseph Markson had argued Clarke be demoted to the rank of inspector for a 12 months to 18 months, earlier than being routinely reinstated to the rank of superintendent.
Police prosecutor Scott Hutchison countered that Clarke be demoted two ranks to workers sergeant, with the chance to reapply to change into a superintendent after two years.
After serving her 24-month penalty, Clarke can reapply to change into a superintendent, McElary-Downer stated.
Clarke pleaded responsible to seven counts of misconduct in September of 2023, however testified at a listening to this spring that she acted out of desperation to counteract what she referred to as ” anti-Black systemic bigotry” when she gave confidential data to 6 Black constables forward of promotional job interviews in 2021.
McElary-Downey stated Clarke dedicated quite a lot of transgressions together with photographing interview questions and solutions and sending them to her six mentees, instructing one of many officers to delete pictures she despatched them and conducting mock interviews with officers.
In her choice, McElary-Downer stated ” it’s clear rating brings a larger assumption of excellent conduct.
“The nature of Supt. Clarke’s misconduct undoubtedly shook the confidence and trust the public had in her, and on a broader scale, the Toronto Police Service,” she included.
Clarke is the very first Black ladies police officer to get to the rating of superintendent with Toronto cops. Her legal professional described her because the “Black female face” of the strain all through the procedures.
Clarke has truly been a legislation enforcement agent on condition that signing up with the answer as a cadet in 1998. She was marketed to superintendent in July 2020. McElary-Downer indicated Clarke’s doc as a legislation enforcement agent whereas offering her selection.
“Outside of this incident, Supt. Clarke has led an admirable career,” she claimed. “Indisputably, she is held in high regard by the many people she has worked with. Her history reflects she is a rockstar.”
Numerous outstanding legislation enforcement officer functioned as persona witnesses in assist of Clarke all through the listening to, consisting of earlier Toronto cops Chief Mark Saunders.