High-ranking officer faces penalty hearing

Woman has admitted to supplying questions in advance to candidates vying for rank of sergeant

- WENDY GILLIS

Last fall, Supt. Stacy Clarke made a surprise guilty plea to seven counts of professional misconduct under Ontario's police legislation, an admission that could result in a penalty ranging from a reprimand to demotion to dismissal.

Inexcusable police misconduct from a high-ranking officer, or an ill-fated attempt to diversify Toronto's ranks? 

The motivations of Toronto police Supt. Stacy Clarke could take centre stage Monday, as the high-profile and long-delayed penalty hearing begins for the pioneering senior officer entangled in a promotional cheating scandal that rocked the force in 2022.

Clarke, who in 2020 became Toronto's first Black female superintendent, has already admitted she helped half a dozen officers cheat during a promotional process, supplying confidential interview questions to candidates vying for the rank of sergeant.

Last fall, Clarke made a surprise guilty plea to seven counts of professional misconduct under Ontario's police legislation, an admission that could result in a penalty ranging from a reprimand to demotion to dismissal.

The six officers she helped cheat had been her mentees and fellow racialized cops.

Why a celebrated officer swiftly ascending the ranks would risk her career to help others cheat is yet to be aired in the disciplinary proceedings. Sentencing submissions are scheduled for an unusually long stretch of five days, suggesting Clarke's reasons - and the broader context of her misconduct could be laid bare.

Her lawyer, Joseph Markson, declined to comment in advance of the sentencing hearing.