Overview

Behind the Badge: Exposing Police Misconduct in Ontario - Cases, Cover-Ups, and Broken Trust takes readers deep into the hidden world of policing in Ontario, exposing systemic issues that have long undermined public trust. This is not a collection of headlines or isolated stories; it is a comprehensive examination of how excessive use of force, abuse of power, investigative failures, and cover-ups persist across one of Canada's largest provinces. Drawing on documented cases, public inquiries, whistleblower accounts, and data analysis, the book illuminates the ways misconduct flourishes when oversight is weak, accountability is delayed, or power is left unchecked.Policing is meant to protect and serve, yet authority is a double-edged sword. Officers wield the power to stop, detain, and arrest - and, in extreme cases, to use lethal force. The badge is a symbol of trust, but when that trust is broken, the consequences are profound. Through high-profile cases like Sammy Yatim in Toronto, pursuit and Taser incidents in York Regional Police, and multiple SIU investigations across Hamilton, Kingston, and Niagara, this book illustrates how discretionary power can escalate into violence and abuse. Each case is more than a headline; it is a lens into systemic failures and the human cost of misconduct, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by policing practices.Oversight bodies such as the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) exist to hold police accountable, yet structural and resource limitations often weaken their impact. Many investigations end without charges, and when charges are laid, convictions can be rare. Legislative reforms, including the Safer Ontario Act and the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, have attempted to strengthen accountability, but critics argue that gaps remain, leaving victims and communities questioning the effectiveness of oversight.The book also delves into the historical and systemic roots of police misconduct in Ontario, tracing patterns that stretch over decades. From excessive force during arrests to failures in mental health crisis response, these cases highlight recurring issues: escalation of violence, racial disparities, pursuit-related injuries, and lethal outcomes. It also examines the role of institutional culture, which can foster resistance to external review and maintain a culture of impunity. When oversight mechanisms are under-resourced, data collection is inconsistent, and disciplinary measures are limited, systemic misconduct persists unchecked.While the book exposes these failures, it also centers the human cost. Victims endure physical injuries, psychological trauma, and community marginalization. Trust between citizens and law enforcement erodes, particularly in racialized communities where encounters with police are more frequent and more likely to involve harm. By incorporating firsthand accounts from victims, whistleblowers, and advocates, Behind the Badge presents a humanized view of policing misconduct - one that statistics alone cannot capture.But this is not just an exposé. The book offers a path forward, highlighting evidence-based reforms such as stronger independent oversight, transparent race-based data collection, enhanced de-escalation and crisis response training, and meaningful community engagement. It argues that restoring trust is not optional; it is essential for the legitimacy of the policing system and for justice itself.Behind the Badge is a must-read for anyone interested in justice, civil rights, law enforcement reform, and the struggle to hold power to account. This book illuminates the cracks in a system meant to protect the public and challenges readers to demand accountability, reform, and true justice.

Full Product Details

9798276258263

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available