Toronto Detective Constable Brian Sukhram Suspended Without Pay Under New Police Oversight Law

By Justin Heath

Detective Constable Brian Sukhram, 38, of the Toronto Police Service’s Drug Squad, has been suspended without pay following charges laid by Peel Regional Police earlier this week. His suspension represents the first known application of the Community Safety and Policing Act (formerly Bill 68), recently enacted in Ontario to strengthen oversight and accountability for police officers.

Incident Details

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Peel Regional Police officers responded to reports of an erratic driver in Mississauga. They identified the vehicle as driven by Sukhram and initiated a stop. The interaction escalated: two Peel officers were hospitalized with minor injuries, multiple police cruisers were damaged, and Sukhram attempted to flee the scene. He was arrested and faces multiple charges including:

Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

Flight from peace officers

Failure to stop after an accident

Operating while impaired (alcohol, over 80 mg)

Possession of methamphetamine and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

Peel police will be prosecuting, while Toronto Police are conducting their own internal review.

Legal Framework — Community Safety and Policing Act

The Community Safety and Policing Act, passed in 2019 and operational in early 2025, introduced the option for chiefs to suspend officers without pay when charged with serious criminal offences. The aim is to bolster public trust by ensuring officers accused of egregious misconduct do not receive taxpayer-funded salaries during proceedings.

Chief Myron Demkiw, of TPS authorized Sukhram’s suspension under this provision, citing the gravity of his alleged crimes and their impact on community confidence.

Significance And Reaction

Sukhram is among the first officers suspended without pay under this new statute. Previously, accused officers remained on paid administrative leave, sometimes for years—a practice that sparked public criticism and was frequently defended by police unions.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and government officials have indicated the law will be enforced sparingly, reserved for cases involving serious criminal allegations, such as those now facing Sukhram. These measures are balanced by provisions for independent adjudication and appeal rights, aiming to protect both public safety and officer fairness .

Next Steps And Broader Impact

Sukhram remains in custody under Peel’s investigation, with preliminary conditions set in Brampton court. Toronto Police will continue separate internal proceedings, which could result in further discipline regardless of his criminal case.

If convicted, the suspension without pay may transition into dismissal or other disciplinary action. If found not guilty, the independent adjudication process under the Act will determine reinstatement and any back-pay.

Ontario’s Solicitor General has emphasized that suspension without pay for both off-duty and on-duty serious offences will now be an accessible and appropriate tool—reflecting a wider effort to recalibrate accountability in policing.

Public And Institutional Response

Public reaction was swift: some praised the move as an overdue step to preserve trust in law enforcement; others urged caution, emphasizing that due process and fairness for officers remain essential.

Toronto Police Association president Jon Reid stated the union will support Sukhram through the legal and internal review processes, reiterating that guilt must be proven before permanent disciplinary outcomes.

Conclusion

Detective Sukhram’s suspension marks a turning point in Ontario policing. As the first officer disciplined under the Community Safety and Policing Act for suspected serious wrongdoing, his case will be closely watched—potentially signalling how strictly the law is applied in future policing controversies.

It underscores a new era in which transparency, accountability, and community trust are being prioritized in how police misconduct is addressed—while underscoring the delicate balance between public confidence and procedural justice for officers.

Justin Heath

Justin Heath is a  freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach him at justin.heath@veritasexpositae.com