A Toronto police officer previously charged with impaired driving and drug possession is now facing a new set of serious allegations, including obstruction of justice and theft, following a months-long investigation.
Detective Constable Brian Sukhram, 38, of Brampton, was formally charged this week with multiple offences: breach of trust, obstruction of justice, theft over $5,000, and theft under $5,000. The arrest was announced Tuesday by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who took over the case earlier this year.
Sukhram, a 13-year member of the Toronto Police Service (TPS), was arrested on Monday and released pending a court appearance scheduled for September. His suspension without pay has been in place since September 2024, a spokesperson for Toronto police confirmed.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred while Sukhram was on duty. According to the OPP, TPS first launched an internal investigation in July 2024 into potential misconduct, including allegations of breach of trust and theft. The case was subsequently handed over to the provincial police in January 2025 to ensure independent oversight.
At the time of the original suspension last summer, Sukhram was already facing unrelated criminal charges, including impaired driving and possession of cocaine. Those charges led to an initial suspension with pay, as per existing policies under the Police Services Act, which remained in effect until the more recent disciplinary actions in fall 2024 under the newer Community Safety and Policing Act came into force.
The full scope of the latest allegations has not been detailed publicly, but the OPP confirmed that the charges relate directly to conduct while on active duty with the drug squad. The service has not specified whether the alleged offences involved evidence tampering, theft from exhibits, or other forms of misconduct tied to narcotics investigations.
Sukhram held a position in one of the most sensitive units within the police service — the drug enforcement team where officers routinely handle narcotics, large sums of cash, and confidential investigative material. His role made him subject to elevated levels of oversight, and the recent charges are already prompting broader discussions around internal safeguards in high-risk units.
Toronto police have not disclosed whether the alleged offences have affected any ongoing investigations or prosecutions. However, legal experts suggest that cases previously handled by Sukhram may come under review if questions arise regarding integrity of evidence or procedures.
“It’s common practice to re-examine files when an officer is accused of misconduct, especially in units dealing with controlled substances or financial seizures,” said David Tan, a Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer. “The credibility of the officer becomes a factor in any prosecution they’ve been involved in.”
While Toronto police have not commented on the specific nature of the allegations, a spokesperson said the service is cooperating fully with the OPP. “This is now a matter before the courts. The Toronto Police Service supports full accountability and transparency during all stages of the judicial process,” the statement said.
The case against Sukhram is the latest in a series of incidents over recent years that have brought the issue of officer accountability into public focus. Although policies around suspension, discipline, and internal investigations have evolved, critics argue that systemic challenges remain — particularly around transparency and public communication.
“There’s often a gap between what’s happening behind the scenes and what the public learns,” said Julia Hartwell, a policy analyst at a policing oversight group in Ontario. “When an officer is facing allegations as serious as obstruction or theft while on duty, it raises important questions about trust in policing institutions.”
As part of the 2024 overhaul to Ontario’s policing legislation, the Community Safety and Policing Act introduced mechanisms that allow services to suspend officers without pay under more circumstances than previously allowed. Sukhram’s case is one of the earlier instances in which those new provisions have been applied.
Sukhram is scheduled to appear in court in September. Legal analysts note that depending on the nature of the charges, he could face significant penalties if convicted, including potential prison time. Obstruction of justice and breach of trust by a public official are both considered indictable offences under the Criminal Code of Canada.
In the meantime, Toronto police have not indicated whether any further disciplinary or internal tribunal actions are pending. While suspension without pay signals a serious administrative response, formal employment status and potential dismissal decisions are typically deferred until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
Toronto police union officials have not publicly commented on the matter, and it remains unclear whether Sukhram will challenge the suspension or seek legal redress through labour channels.
The charges against Sukhram come at a time when public confidence in policing remains a topic of national conversation. While most officers serve without incident, misconduct cases especially involving specialized units can impact perceptions of law enforcement more broadly.
“Internal accountability structures are improving, but the threshold for action needs to remain high,” said criminal justice scholar Naomi Barin at the University of Toronto. “Cases like this demonstrate why oversight must be both independent and well-resourced.”
The OPP’s continued involvement, alongside independent court proceedings, is expected to provide clarity in the months ahead. Meanwhile, any ongoing investigations or legal matters linked to Sukhram’s previous role in the drug squad may come under further scrutiny as stakeholders evaluate the broader implications.
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