Officer Stacy Clarke, Toronto’s first Black female police superintendent, has been demoted following a police tribunal hearing in downtown Toronto on Wednesday. The two-year demotion comes after Clarke admitted to assisting some Black members of the force in cheating during a promotional process.
Clarke, who has served with the police for approximately 26 years, will now hold the rank of inspector, one rank below her previous position. After 24 months, she will be required to reapply for the superintendent role, having pleaded guilty to professional misconduct last year.
Before the decision, Clarke had been considering spending more time with her 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son. Clarke was promoted to superintendent in 2020, following her work in the agency’s homicide and divisional policing units. However, her decision to provide confidential information to six Black constables ahead of their promotional interviews led to her demotion.
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“It is what it is,” Clarke told reporters outside police headquarters after pleading guilty in September. “I’m very disappointed, I’m very sad about it.”
Clarke has since expressed regret for her actions, which involved leaking interview questions and answers to the six officers, who were her mentees, ahead of the 2021 promotions. During a hearing this spring, Clarke explained that her actions were driven by a desire to counter what she described as “anti-Black systemic racism” and pleaded for leniency.
The case attracted significant attention from the local Black community, with many closely monitoring the outcome.
“The community will be extremely disappointed and offended if Superintendent Stacy Clarke receives a disproportionate discipline for her actions,” wrote an observer who attended the May hearing virtually. “It will be seen as a direct result of systemic racism, which is deeply entrenched in policing, and it will impact the relationship between the police and the Canadian Black community.”
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Robin McElary-Downer, the hearing officer, expressed some sympathy for Clarke, stating, “I apologize in advance, Supt. Clarke. I know this weighs heavily on you.” However, McElary-Downer also characterized Clarke’s actions as a “cheating scheme” and highlighted the gravity of her misconduct.
The names of the officers to whom Clarke sent the interview questions and answers were not disclosed. Clarke also instructed one officer to delete the photos and conducted mock interviews to coach them, according to McElary-Downer.
“It’s clear that rank brings a higher expectation of flawless behavior,” the Ontario police staffer said. “The nature of Supt. Clarke’s misconduct undoubtedly shook the public’s confidence and trust, not only in her but also in the Toronto Police Service.”
McElary-Downer further explained her decision, stating, “There is sufficient and tangible evidence that Clarke’s actions illustrate an abuse of position and power, making her unsuitable for automatic reinstatement as superintendent.”
Clarke will need to reapply for her former rank after two years, but there is no guarantee she will regain her position. Officials cited her actions as having brought “unwanted publicity” and causing “irreparable damage” to the Toronto Police Service.
Clarke’s defense team had requested a demotion to inspector for a period of one to 18 months, with automatic reinstatement, but this plea was not accepted.
Officials have confirmed that Stacy Clarke will have the opportunity to appeal the decision in the coming days.
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