Joseph Markson, lawyer for Clarke: her misconduct was a desperate act to equalize the playing field for Black officers after the stress of systemic racism in policing. He said Clarke experienced systemic racism herself and was trying to bridge the gap for Black other officers.
Retired Supt. David McLeod, who worked with Clarke, said Clarke succeeded in educating the police department on issues such as systemic racism and that the department would not have progressed without her efforts.
Why police superintendent Stacy Clarke is a hero – The Toronto Star
May 8, 2024 – I think Superintendent Stacy Clarke is a hero for trying to help Black officers Our gains in this country and every other “white” dominated society have been through civil disobedience …
Disciplinary hearing starts for high-ranking Toronto cop | CBC News
Supt. Stacy Clarke has pleaded guilty to 7 charges under Police Services Act
CBC News · Posted: May 06, 2024 7:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 7
A disciplinary hearing got underway on Monday for a high-ranking Toronto police officer who has admitted to misconduct after she provided confidential information to six Black constables ahead of promotional job interviews in 2021.
Supt. Stacy Clarke, the first Black female officer to reach the rank of superintendent at the Toronto Police Service, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to seven charges under the Police Services Act. The charges include three counts of breach of confidence, three counts of discreditable conduct and one count of insubordination.
The service has said she interfered with its internal promotions process. In 2021, Clarke served on a three-person panel that conducted interviews for promotions, but used that position to share answers with interviewees.
According to court documents, Clarke “is facing misconduct allegations for sharing interview questions with candidates who had become eligible for promotion.”
On Monday, there were few empty seats in the auditorium at police headquarters where the tribunal hearing was held because character witnesses and supporters filled the room.
The Jamaican Canadian Association organized a bus for dozens of its members to attend the hearing.
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Audrey Campbell, former president of the association, testified in support of Clarke…
Campbell said the force needs to forgive Clarke, who she described as a “beacon of trust,” and demonstrate fairness.
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Joseph Markson, lawyer for Clarke, told the hearing that…
“As the first black female superintendent in the history of the Toronto Police Service, Supt. Clarke has been running uphill against the wind for more than 26 years,” he said.
He said her misconduct was a desperate act to equalize the playing field for Black officers after the stress of systemic racism in policing. He said Clarke experienced systemic racism herself and was trying to bridge the gap for Black other officers.
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Markson proposed that Clarke be demoted to the rank of inspector for a year to 18 months then automatically reinstated to the rank of superintendent.
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Prosecutor Scott Hutchison, however, told the hearing Clarke’s conduct as a senior officer is serious and would normally result in dismissal. But he said Chief Myron Demkiw believes there is still work for Clarke to do as a Toronto officer.
Hutchison proposed that Clarke be demoted two ranks to staff sergeant and be given the opportunity to reapply to become superintendent after two years.
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At one point in the hearing, the defence called witnesses, including former police chief Mark Saunders, to the stand to testify about Clarke’s integrity.
Saunders said he promoted Clarke because of her leadership abilities and said she managed to gain the trust of Toronto’s racialized communities.
The former chief said he believes the superintendent has been more successful than anyone in tackling the problem of racism in law enforcement.
Retired Supt. David McLeod, who worked with Clarke, said Clarke succeeded in educating the police department on issues such as systemic racism and that the department would not have progressed without her efforts.
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According to an agreed statement of facts in the case, Clarke was promoted to the position of police superintendent in July 2020.
Clarke was suspended in January 2022 but reinstated the following month and has remained as superintendent since then, Toronto police said.
The disciplinary hearing is set to resume on Wednesday.
With files from Lane Harrison, Jasmin Seputis, Jean-Philippe Nadeau
https://jamaicans.com › stacy-clarke-who-is-of-jamaican-heritage-becomes-first-black-woman-named-superintendent-of-toronto-police-service
Stacy Clarke, Who Is of Jamaican Heritage, Becomes First Black Woman
PA Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 38 