The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) in southern Ontario has been described as a toxic work environment where harassment was not adequately addressed and management resisted officers seeking mental health support, according to recently disclosed records. The Ontario Civilian Police Commission’s (OCPC) report on the workplace culture, policies, and procedures of DRPS and its board, obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request, confirmed allegations of a toxic work environment at DRPS. Despite having sound policies, workplace harassment investigations were reported to have been tainted by bias and poor record-keeping.
Peter Brauti, representing current and former DRPS members whose complaints triggered the investigation, expressed disappointment at the heavily redacted report, stating that individuals within the organization had their lives negatively impacted by those not being held accountable.
The OCPC initiated the investigation in response to letters from Brauti detailing allegations of favoritism, cronyism, reprisals, and criminal activities within DRPS. The investigation, which began in May 2019 and involved around 80 witnesses, concluded in July. Subsequently, the report has been kept confidential, and the OCPC has been dissolved in line with new provincial policing legislation.
The report highlighted various issues within DRPS, including failures in scrutinizing senior officer hiring, lack of independence in harassment investigations, dismissive attitudes toward mental health concerns, and perceived favoritism impacting operations. The report also mentioned instances of obstructing the OCPC, with both DRPS and the board facing accusations of hindering investigations and incurring substantial legal expenses.
Despite the redactions in the report, references to serious misconduct, such as failure to report sexual assaults, were noted. The report outlined instances of ostracism and interference in investigations within DRPS, along with resistance to mental health support legislation for first responders.
The report listed 33 recommendations, emphasizing the need for a culture where members can report misconduct without fear of reprisal, integrity in promotions, and recorded interviews during workplace investigations. It remains uncertain if the report will be made public in full or with fewer redactions, with efforts ongoing to obtain an uncensored version for the complainants.