OPP bureau taking over investigation of alleged sexual assaults from SIU

WELLINGTON COUNTY - Officials with the OPP and Special Investigations Unit (SIU) say the OPP is taking over seven investigations listed by the SIU as alleged sexual assaults by a Wellington County OPP officer.

The alleged assaults, reported by the OPP to the SIU between Jan. 24 and 29, will now be investigated by the OPP’s Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).

"The SIU is presently in the process of referring these cases to the OPP for investigation," communications coordinator Monica Hudon stated in a Feb. 13 email to the Advertiser.

"The decision to do so followed consultation between the SIU and the OPP in which it became clear that there were overlapping investigative interests between the agencies and that the administration of justice was best served by having one organization, the OPP, assume carriage of the entire matter."

The SIU confirmation came less than four hours after the OPP announced a 14-year Wellington County OPP officer has been charged and suspended from duty by the PSB.

Provincial Constable Sukhvinder Singh Toor was charged with breach of trust, attempt to obstruct justice, interception of a private communication and disclosure of private communication.

West Region OPP media relations coordinator Derek Rogers would not confirm a link between the charges against Toor and the seven SIU cases.

However, he did confirm the SIU "is no longer engaged" in the Toor investigation, which would be handled by the PSB.

The only active 2020 SIU cases involving the Wellington County OPP as of Feb. 13 were the seven alleged sexual assaults.

Police and SIU officials refuse to confirm the date of the incidents, whether the officer was on duty at the time, the number of alleged victims, and whether the victim(s) is a civilian or fellow officer.

They also would not comment on the details that led to the cases being transferred to the OPP.

The SIU investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been a death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.