Interfering with a collision investigation involving a relative has a Toronto Police inspector facing a nine-month demotion.
In her decision rendered Monday, retired OPP Insp. Lisa Taylor ruled 11 Division Insp. Joyce Schertzer arranged for an officer from her own division to attend a 2022 crash involving her nephew, who had collided with a utility pole on Lake Shore Blvd. — located in 14 Division.
Normally, calls from members of the public are routed through a priority dispatch system, which determines the type and timing of response.
This was circumvented when Schertzer arranged to have an officer under her command to attend a scene outside of his area.
Schertzer was found guilty of one count each of discreditable conduct and neglect of duty, and will be reduced in rank to staff sergeant for nine months — four months less than the penalty sought by the prosecution.
The tribunal heard that despite the crash taking place in 14 Division, Schertzer arranged to have an 11 Division officer attend the scene, who released her nephew from the crash after what was described as a “very cursory” investigation.
Schertzer also attended the scene, and was the first Toronto Police member to arrive at the crash.
“This resulted in the investigating officer from Traffic Services (TSV) being unable to determine the involvement of alcohol, specifically whether the driver had zero blood alcohol level as was required by the condition of his novice licence,” reads the text of the decision.
Defence argued that while there is a public interest in the matter, Schertzer’s conduct resulted in no benefit to her family — and in fact had the opposite effect.
As well, the tribunal heard that there were no pending calls on the board for 11 Division at the time of the crash, and that the officer dispatched to the call was available.
“Had she not circumvented the priority system, it is likely this investigation would have taken a different course, a delay may not have occurred, and a proper investigation would have ensued,” Taylor wrote in her decision.
“In my decision, I found that although in the end it may not have resulted in a benefit to Inspector Schertzer’s family, there was a benefit relating to the method of dispatch and the extent of the investigation.”
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