Seven current Toronto police officers and one retired member have been named as suspects in a complex conspiracy that allegedly involved the attempted murder of a senior Ontario corrections officer.
At least 19 additional suspects have also been charged following the seven-month investigation, dubbed Project South, which police say uncovered and ultimately thwarted the deadly attack at a home in York Region.
York Regional Police revealed the results of the probe Thursday morning alongside Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.
They allege that the Toronto cops unlawfully accessed a police database, performed searches that produced confidential information, and in one case, leaked that information to a member of organized crime for the purpose of carrying out the killing.
Investigators said that the addresses returned by the unlawful queries were later the locations of criminal incidents, including an extortion, commercial robberies and shootings.
Here’s what was said Thursday:
3 p.m. – What we know so far about the Toronto police officers implicated in a corruption probe
The police officers were among 27 suspects charged in the investigation. It is alleged the officers provided personal information to conduct crimes, including violence connected to the tow truck industry and that one of the accused participated in a plot to murder a corrections officer.
Here’s everything we know.
1:45 p.m. – Ford calls arrests ‘disturbing’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked about the arrests at an unrelated news conference Thursday and called them “disturbing.”
“I don’t want to paint a broad brush or tarnish the police. We have phenomenal police officers. When they get sworn in and they get their badge, they have a duty. And it’s very disappointing to hear what’s been going on, but I don’t want the public to lose trust in our great police, because they are incredible,” he said.
1:15 p.m. – Chow to meet with Demkiw, police board
Speaking at an unrelated news conference Thursday, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she will meet with Demkiw and the police board and vowed to “get to the bottom” of how this alleged network of corruption evolved.
“The chief of police has to earn that trust back by rooting out officers who have committed crimes and make the necessary systemic changes after the independent review,” Chow said, noting that the arrests will have no impact on the already agreed-upon $93-million police budget increase.
1:00 p.m. – Investigation raises ‘serious public concerns’: board says
In a statement, the Toronto Police Service Board said it recognizes the “serious public concerns” the investigation has raised.
“Given the gravity of the allegations and the broader concerns they raise, the Board and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw have formally requested an independent and comprehensive inspection by the Inspector General of Policing. The Board believes such an inspection is necessary to provide the public with a credible and transparent assessment, and to identify any steps needed to strengthen accountability and public safety,” the board said.
In its request, the board said it has asked for consideration to be given to matters including supervision and span of control, recruitment screening and ongoing vetting of new officers.
Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said that there will now be a retroactive inspection of any investigation that the charged officers were involved in to see if their involvement may have “jeopardized” those cases.
Project South Images from surveillance videos show evidence from Project South.
10:47 a.m. – Largest case of corruption in the history of Toronto police?
Demkiw stopped short of saying whether this investigation exposed the largest case of corruption in the history of the Toronto Police Service, but said it was the “most concerning and most significant professional standards internal affairs matter” he’s ever seen in the force.
10:45 a.m. – Demkiw taps Inspector General of Policing to look into information, database access
Demkiw was asked about how he can assure the public that officers can be trusted with personal information. In answering the question, he said he’s asked the Inspector General of Policing for an independent review of how police officers access those databases.
“This is an opportunity, now that the investigation is out in the light, for us to take a look at our internal systems, but also to bring in some independent inspection and oversight to give us a better understanding of what can be done in our regard to ensure that we are best in class and controlling information that we need to conduct our work,” he said.
Project South Images from surveillance videos show evidence from Project South.
10:42 a.m. – Could more arrests of Toronto police officers be coming?
Police were asked if more officers might be arrested in connection with the investigation, but officials stayed tight-lipped on any additional enforcement.
“What I can tell you is this investigation is ongoing and will continue for some time. The people that we had sufficient grounds to lay charges on in this investigation have been reported on today…we continue to examine relationships between the arrested police officers, the retired member and other factions of organized crime that have been arrested,” Hogan said.
“If and when we do have investigations into other police officers that result in criminal charges, we will be bringing that forward in subsequent releases of information.”
10:40 a.m. – Links to Toronto’s notorious tow truck industry
Hogan said that at least one of the suspects charged in Project South is connected to the tow truck industry, but the extent of that connection remains under investigation.
“Mr. Elwyn Satanowsky does have an affiliation to the tow industry. In regard to one of the shootings that you would have seen on the screen, it did occur at a commercial complex with an affiliation to a tow industry. And in fact, a tow truck was seen in that video. More broadly, however, I cannot speak to motive behind the shootings and whether the shootings themselves were a direct motive in the tow industry.”
In recent years, law enforcement has linked some tow truck operators in the Greater Toronto Area to gun violence and organized crime.
10:36 a.m. – Investigation began following attack on corrections officer’s home
Police said the investigation began following the attack on the corrections officer’s York Region home in June.
“It was in short order following that incident, and the two incidents that followed over 36 hours, that our investigators uncovered the actions of Const. Timothy Barnhardt. Those actions were the unlawful access and subsequent distribution of personal information relating to that,” Hogan said.
Police said that a number of suspects attended the victim’s home for the purpose of murdering him. Surveillance footage played at the Thursday news conference showed the moment that three masked and armed men arrived the officer’s home and rammed a police cruiser that was in the driveway.
10:35 a.m. – Would-be victim completely innocent: Deputy Chief
Hogan said there is “absolutely no evidence or information” to suggest that the would-be victim of the murder plot was connected to organized crime.
“Our belief is that that member was doing his job effectively, was ethical and had complete integrity in his position, and that those actions, his commitment to integrity in his position, was what spawned the criminal actions against him,” Hogan said.
10:32 a.m. – Four of seven officers suspended without pay
Demkiw said that four of the seven officers charged have been suspended without pay.
“As the releases and the conditions of the releases are made available to our investigators this morning, we are examining the legal authorities I have in regards to suspension without pay. So there may be more info to follow, but presently, at least four of the seven I will be seeking suspension without pay,” he said.
Project South York Regional Police reveal the results of Project South, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
10:28 a.m. – How will the Toronto Police Service restore public trust?
Demkiw was asked about the issue of public trust in the Toronto Police Service following the arrests.
“I appreciate the question. And you know, the issue around public trust in these kinds of circumstances is, frankly, the priority we obviously recognize. We recognize that these types of allegations shake the very foundation of trust that people place in the institution of policing,” he said. “And in this case, the Toronto Police Service, I think it’s important to first of all reflect on how we came to be here today, and we came to be here today because of the incredible collaboration and coordination of police efforts to tackle organized crime and to follow the evidence wherever it goes.”
10:25 a.m. – ‘A painful and unsettling moment’: Toronto police chief
Demkiw said the revelations made at Thursday’s news conference represented what he called a “painful and unsettling moment.”
“It needs to be addressed openly and it needs to be addressed honestly. The allegations against seven Toronto Police members and one retired member are deeply disappointing. I understand this news will be distressing for Torontonians and our police service members. No corner of society is immune from the reach of organized crime, but when organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing,” he said.
“The allegations against these individuals do not represent police service. They do not represent who you are. They do not represent what our organization is and stands for. These arrests are a necessary step in ensuring that those who face allegations that bring disrepute are held to account. We will not let the actions of a few define the reputation of many as this matter becomes public today, our priority remains the safety of our communities.”
Myron Demkiw Feb. 5 YRP news conference Toronto police service chief Myron Demkiw speaks during a press conference to announce the results of ‘Project South,’ a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York Regional Police headquarters in Aurora, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker
10:22 a.m. – ‘Among the most complex and challenging investigations’
Hogan said the investigation is one of the most “complex and challenging” of his 28-year career, and involved more than 400 officers.
“The investigators on this case include members of York Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and Correctional Services of Ontario. Supporting these investigators was a dedicated team of prosecutors from the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. And also this investigation was made successful by funding from the Ontario government Ministry of the Solicitor General, through the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario,” he said.
10:20 a.m. – Toronto cop allegedly stole drivers’ licences, health cards, passports from police facility
Police said that, as the investigation unfolded, they discovered that one suspect, Const. Derek McCormick allegedly stole personal property from a police facility.
Officers have since recovered a “substantial amount” of stolen property, including driver’s licences, health cards, passports and other personal identification documents.
10:17 a.m. – Who is Brian Da Costa?
Police allege that one of the suspects, Brian Da Costa, was involved in a “sophisticated” drug-trafficking operation, responsible for the exportation of cannabis and fentanyl.
“When police officers arrested Mr. Da Costa on January the 23 of this year, officers seized 169 pounds of cannabis and one pound of fentanyl, which we believe was destined outbound for a European location,” Hogan said.
Hogan said that four of the Toronto police officers charged (Const. Barnhardt, Sgt. Robert black, Const. Saurabjit Bedi and Sgt. Carl Grellette) were involved in an operation “orchestrated” by Da Costa.
“We allege that these officers in particular were involved with Mr. Da Costa in supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to provide, ultimately, protection from law enforcement investigation. As you have seen so far, this case uncovered significant drug trafficking activity.”
10:15 a.m. – Father and son — retired and current Toronto police officers— among the suspects
Among the current and former police officers charged, Hogan said two are father and son, both of whom are accused of leaking information to criminals.
“We allege that the information provided was in support of illicit activity and as previously reported, retired Toronto Police Const. John Madeley (Sr.), and now his son, Toronto Police Const. John Madeley (Jr.), have unlawfully accessed and distributed confidential information,” he said.
10:12 a.m. – Toronto cop leaks information about would-be shooting victim to ‘key figure’ in GTA criminal network
According to Hogan, Toronto Police Const. Barnhardt “unlawfully” accessed confidential information about the victim, an Ontario corrections officer, and then released that information to Da Costa.
“We allege that Mr. Da Costa is a key figure in the criminal network operating within the Greater Toronto Area, with, in fact, significant international ties. The investigation led police to identify three additional suspects who were planning to cause harm to the correctional management member,” Hogan said.
Hogan added that three other suspects, Median Jackson, Kaejean Doman, Devonte Barker-Campbell, accessed the information provided by Barnhardt to recruit criminal actors to carry out harm against the victim.
10:10 a.m. – Toronto police officers identified as suspects
York Regional Police identified a number of suspects during Thursday’s news conference, including the Toronto police officers allegedly involved.
They include:
- Timothy Barnhardt – Toronto Police Service constable
- Robert Black – Toronto Police Service sergeant
- John Madeley (Sr.) – Toronto Police Service constable (retired)
- John Madeley (Jr.) – Toronto Police Service constable
- Carl Grellette – Toronto Police Service sergeant
- Saurabjit Bedi – Toronto Police Service constable
- Derek McCormick – Toronto Police Service constable
- Elias Mouawad – Toronto Police Service constable
Several other civilian suspects were also identified by police on Thursday. Their charges include conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, with ammunition, and disguise with intent.
York Regional Police reveal the results of Project South York Regional Police reveal the results of Project South, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
10:07 a.m. – Conspiracy includes plot to murder Ontario corrections officer
Hogan said the allegations of criminal corruption against the Toronto police officers include bribery, obstruction of justice, drug trafficking, theft of personal property, breach of trust and the unauthorized access and distribution of confidential information.
“We are alleging that some police officers collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to members of organized crime, which ultimately resulted in serious harm in our communities. Our investigation began in June 2025 when a conspiracy unfolded to murder a member of corrections management who was working at an Ontario Correctional Institute institution,” Hogan said.
“Over a 36-hour period, a number of suspects attended this member’s home in York Region, we allege for the purpose of murdering him.”
Police then shared surveillance footage of the moment three men, masked and armed with a loaded handgun, returned to the officer’s home and rammed a police cruiser that was in the driveway.
York Regional Police reveal the results of Project South York Regional Police reveal the results of Project South, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
10:05 a.m. – ‘A grave risk to our community safety’
Hogan said that the investigation began in June and continued over seven months.
“This investigation identified and disrupted serious criminal activity in the Greater Toronto Area that posed a grave risk to our community safety. This includes a conspiracy to commit murder, shooting, extortion, robbery, drug trafficking and firearms offences. This investigation also has uncovered serious allegations of criminal corruption among police officers. This includes seven police officers employed by the Toronto Police Service and one retired member of the Toronto Police Service,” he said.
10:03 a.m. – Toronto cops allegedly leaked personal info to criminals who carried out shootings
Chief Jim MacSween said several Toronto police officers allegedly leaked personal information to criminals who then carried out shootings.
“Investigators allege that Toronto Police officers unlawfully accessed personal information. This information was then funnelled to other criminals who carried out shootings and other violent offences,” he said.
