UMVA has learned that three Toronto Police officers have been charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a prostitute in Barcelona over the weekend.
The trio were off duty at the time of the alleged incident and have been or will be suspended pending the outcome of those charges. The Toronto Police Service has confirmed that the officers were on vacation and not travelling in any official capacity.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the officers were arrested in Barcelona and are accused of serious crimes, including sexual assault and physical assault. The alleged incident occurred in a taxi in the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood of Barcelona on Saturday night.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that one of the Canadians is accused of sexually assaulting the woman, another of hitting her in the face while she resisted, and the third of being the co-pilot of the vehicle. The woman allegedly required medical assistance following the incident.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that two of the three men were arrested in Barcelona by local authorities, while the third, who allegedly beat the woman, fled and was arrested on Friday in Palma de Mallorca. The officers' names and ranks have not been released.
The Toronto Police Service has called the allegations ‘serious’ and has suspended or will suspend the officers upon their return to Canada. The Service is unable to offer further comment at this time as the individual members’ matters are now each before the courts.
In a concerning trend, the Toronto Police Service has had a tumultuous year, with at least one investigation underway. This latest incident comes on the heels of a major organized crime and corruption investigation that led to charges against ten current and former Toronto Police officers.
The Toronto Police Service Board has also called for an “independent inspection” into claims of antisemitism in the force. The allegations against the three officers have raised questions about the culture and accountability within the Toronto Police Service.
