The unraveling began subtly, a quiet breach of trust within the very institutions sworn to uphold the law. Investigators with York Regional Police began to suspect Constable Timothy Barnhardt of illicitly accessing confidential police databases, a seemingly isolated incident that would soon blossom into a far-reaching investigation.
The first overt sign of trouble arrived on June 20th, 2025. A vehicle, linked to the burgeoning investigation, deliberately collided with a York Regional Police cruiser parked at a residence. Three individuals – two young people and an adult – were immediately apprehended, marking the initial physical confrontation in a case steeped in shadows.
Behind the scenes, the scope of Barnhardt’s alleged actions, and those of his colleagues, was becoming terrifyingly clear. Evidence mounted, revealing a pattern of numerous unauthorized database queries. This wasn’t simply curiosity; the stolen information was allegedly funneled to individuals connected to established criminal networks.
The compromised data wasn’t innocuous. It included addresses linked to a string of serious crimes – extortion attempts, brazen commercial robberies, and violent shootings. Each piece of information, carelessly exposed, potentially endangered lives and undermined ongoing investigations.
The investigation gained momentum in September 2025 with the arrest of Kaejean Doman at the scene of a shooting in Vaughan. He was found in possession of a firearm, a weapon that forensic analysis would soon connect to at least eight separate shootings across southern Ontario, painting a picture of escalating violence.
A disturbing pattern emerged, revealing a calculated scheme allegedly orchestrated by Brian Da Costa. The plan involved corrupt officers actively supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries, accepting bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye to enforcement efforts. The betrayal of public trust was profound.
The fallout was swift and devastating. Seven Toronto Police officers and one retired officer now face a litany of charges. Four are accused of bribery, three face charges related to cocaine trafficking, and one is accused of stealing sensitive personal documents – drivers’ licenses, health cards, passports, and credit cards – adding a layer of identity theft to the already complex web of corruption.
