Toronto cops arrested in Barcelona over sex worker altercation face serious charges
Three Toronto police officers have been arrested in Barcelona while off duty. The incident involved a sex worker in a taxi and has led to calls for a full investigation. All three officers have since been suspended with pay and returned to Canada.
The arrests come amid ongoing scrutiny of the force, following recent allegations of misconduct and a controversial internal probe known as Project South. The three officers were detained after an altercation with a sex worker during their holiday in Spain. One now faces charges of sexual assault and assault, while another was charged with resisting arrest. The specifics of the third officer’s charges remain unclear.
The incident has sparked strong reactions from local officials. Toronto mayor Olivia Chow stated that Police Chief Myron Demkiw must take action to restore public confidence. City councillor Shelley Carroll demanded swift and serious measures from the Toronto Police Service.
This latest controversy follows the fallout from Project South, an internal investigation that implicated eight officers. Separately, a former homicide detective recently published an autobiography detailing racism, antisemitism, and leadership failures within the force. In response, the Police Service Board has requested an independent review of the detective’s claims.
A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service emphasised that the alleged behaviour of the three officers does not represent the professionalism of the wider force. The three suspended officers remain under investigation as the case unfolds. Their suspension with pay continues while authorities examine the incident in Barcelona. Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Service faces mounting pressure to address broader concerns about conduct and accountability within its ranks.
