Toronto-area police officer sentenced to 7.5 years in jail following corruption investigation
A Toronto-area police officer has been sentenced to seven and a half years in jail after being found guilty of eight corruption-related charges.
A 10-month long investigation began in January 2018 after police said they became aware an officer with the York Regional Police Service was allegedly involved “in a number of criminal enterprises.”
According to investigators, these enterprises included the attempted robbery of a quantity of cocaine, the theft and illegal possession of a York Regional Police shotgun, the trafficking of steroids to another officer, trafficking cocaine and disclosing confidential information.
Const. Richard Senior, who has been a member of the York Regional Police Service for 16 years, was taken into custody in October 2018. He faced 30 charges initially, but 16 of those were withdrawn ahead of his trial.
During his trial in February 2021, the Crown alleged that Senior filed an intelligence report about his former mistress and attributed the information to a fake confidential source. He then took payment that was meant for the informant.
Other allegations presented by the prosecution included selling steroids to another undercover officer, stealing money he was given to pay informants and inappropriately accessing a police database to disclose confidential information.
Senior’s lawyer argued that his client’s actions were due to lack of experience and training. He also said that none of the incidents would have occurred without the “instigation” of police.
The now 47-year-old was sentenced to jail time after being convicted of eight charges in November, including trafficking cocaine, trafficking testosterone, and possession of a weapon obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized use of a computer, and breach of trust.
In addition to the jail time, police said Thursday that Senior faces a 10-year weapons prohibition, a lifetime ban on restricted and prohibited weapons and must submit his DNA.
“He has initiated an appeal from conviction and is expected to be released on bail until that process is complete,” police said in a news release.
Senior worked in Markham in a uniform patrol and prior to his arrest, worked in the Community Oriented Response Unit. He has now been suspended without pay per the Police Services Act.
“This unacceptable criminal behaviour is not tolerated by our organization and my thanks go to the members who investigated this case and the prosecutors who secured the convictions,” said Chief Jim MacSween said in a statement.
“This is not a reflection of the hard-working, dedicated and professional members working each day to keep our community safe. We remain committed to being transparent and accountable to our community.”
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.