This decision was made at a police tribunal hearing in downtown Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 28, marking a significant setback in Clarke’s otherwise stellar 26-year career with the service.
Clarke, who pleaded guilty to professionalmisconduct last year, must now serve as an inspector and will be required to reapply for her previous position as superintendent after the 24-month period.
Clarke, who ascended to the rank of superintendent in 2020, had previously held roles in TPS’s homicide and divisional policing units, and later at the Toronto Police College.
Her actions, which she claimed were motivated by a desire to combat what she described as “anti-Black systemic racism” within the force, have been widely criticized and described as a “cheating scheme” by Disciplinary Hearing Officer Robin McElary-Downer.
During the tribunal, McElary-Downer outlined the misconduct, including Clarke’s photographing of interview questions, sharing them with the mentees, and conducting mock interviews to prepare them.
These actions, McElary-Downer noted, significantly undermined publictrust in Clarke and the Toronto Police Service as a whole.
Clarke’s demotion and the scandal that preceded it have halted what had been a meteoric rise within the TPS. Having started her career in the community response unit, youth bureau, and intelligence unit, Clarke’s journey through the ranks was marked by numerous achievements, including her work on the Police and Community Review (PACER) project aimed at improving the TPS’s image and public trust.
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