Toronto law enforcement officer Stacy Clarke has actually been handed a two-year downgrading to the ranking of assessor for her component in what corrective hearing police officer Robin McElary-Downer called a “cheating scheme” in a Wednesday cops act tribunal choice.
“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 automatically reinstated to the rank of superintendent. Supt. Clarke will need to reapply down the road.
“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 year to 18 months, before being automatically reinstated to the rank of superintendent.
Police prosecutor Scott Hutchison countered that Clarke be demoted two ranks to staff sergeant, with the opportunity to reapply to become a superintendent after two years.
After serving her 24-month penalty, Clarke can reapply to become a superintendent, McElary-Downer said.
Clarke pleaded guilty to seven counts of misconduct in September of 2023, but testified at a hearing this spring that she acted out of desperation to counteract what she called ” anti-Black systemic bigotry” when she gave confidential information to six Black constables ahead of promotional job interviews in 2021.
McElary-Downey said Clarke committed a number of transgressions including photographing interview questions and answers and sending them to her six mentees, instructing one of the officers to delete photos she sent them and conducting mock interviews with officers.
In her decision, McElary-Downer said ” it’s clear ranking brings a greater assumption of perfect behavior.
“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 women police officer to get to the ranking of superintendent with Toronto cops. Her attorney described her as the “Black female face” of the pressure throughout the procedures.
Clarke has actually been a law enforcement agent given that signing up with the solution as a cadet in 1998. She was advertised to superintendent in July 2020. McElary-Downer indicated Clarke’s document as a law enforcement agent while providing her choice.
“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 prominent law enforcement officer functioned as personality witnesses in support of Clarke throughout the hearing, consisting of previous Toronto cops Chief Mark Saunders.
