Toronto’s Chief of Police, Myron Demkiw, has defended his comments made after the acquittal of Umar Zameer in the death of plainclothes officer Jeffrey Northrup. Demkiw initially expressed disappointment with the verdict but clarified that he supports the justice system and the jury’s decision. He has also ordered independent and internal reviews of plainclothes policing practices due to concerns raised during the trial.
On Tuesday, Demkiw responded to criticism regarding his initial statement, saying he thought he was clear that he supported the justice system and the work of the jury. However, he acknowledged the ongoing conversation and tried to clarify his stance in a news release Monday.
In the news release, Demkiw announced he had asked the OPP for an independent review as a result of the concerns raised by Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy about the testimony of plainclothes officers. Molloy suggested to the jury that there may have been collusion.
Demkiw also ordered a full internal review of all aspects of plainclothes policing and public safety.
“While we all seek closure in many different ways, and elusive as closure can be, sometimes in a court process, closure can be something that we certainly look for. But as I said yesterday, as I was confident I said Sunday, closure does not come at the expense of justice and let me be crystal clear, I support and accept the verdict of the jury,” Demkiw said to reporters Tuesday.
Umar Zameer’s lawyer Nadar Hasan expressed encouragement at Demkiw’s clarification and the public backlash against the chief’s initial comments.
“The Chief must remember that he is Chief of Police to all Torontonians and not just those crying for vengeance,” Hasan said, urging the chief to focus on healing and police reform.
Past president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Daniel Brown criticized Demkiw’s initial comments, saying they were chilling and could lead to a tunnel vision that results in unjust charges.
Demkiw was also asked about comments made by his predecessor, James Ramer, who had described Northrup’s death as “intentional and deliberate.” Demkiw said it would be inappropriate to comment on another chief’s remarks.
On Tuesday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford expressed sympathy for Northrup’s family and said he respected the court’s decision.
The Northrup case and the subsequent controversy over Demkiw’s comments have raised important questions about the role of police in the justice system and the impartiality of plainclothes policing practices.
