Two veteran OPP officers, two civilians charged in tow truck corruption investigation

[Michael Jack]

The complaint that triggered the charges was made in February 2019. Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti have been suspended with pay since January 2021.

Two veteran Ontario Provincial Police officers have been charged criminally with breach of trust as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption in the tow truck industry.

Two GTA civilian tow operators were also charged, the OPP announced on Thursday evening.

The charges follow what the OPP calls “an internal complaint alleging members of the OPP Highway Safety Division (HSD) were providing preferential treatment to tow operators within the Greater Toronto Area.”

The complaint that triggered the charges was made in February 2019, the OPP said.

Facing criminal code charges are Sgt. Terrence Reefer, 59, a 29-year OPP veteran and Const. Roberto Visconti, 36, a 12-year veteran, also of the Mississauga detachment.

Visconti is also charged with one count of obstructing a peace officer. No details of the alleged offence were given.

The OPP said in a prepared statement that Reefer and Visconti have been suspended with pay since January 2021.

They were arrested on Monday and released, with a scheduled court appearance on Jan. 6 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Also charged were Douglas Polus, 49, of Vaughan and Janan Dinkha, 44, of Mississauga.

Polus and Dinkha were each charged with one count of aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They were also released and are scheduled to appear in court on January 6 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/1 ... ation.html

https://www.therecord.com/ts/news/gta/2 ... ation.html

[Michael Jack]

Charges followed investigation into allegations of misconduct, OPP says

Two Ontario Provincial Police officers and two tow truck operators have been charged as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving the towing industry.

In a news release on Thursday, the OPP said Sgt. Terrence Reefer, 59, and Const. Roberto Visconti, 36, are facing beach of trust charges. Both are members of the OPP's Mississauga detachment and its highway safety division. Visconti has also been charged with obstructing a peace officer.

The OPP said it also charged a Vaughan man, 49, and a Mississauga man, 44, with aiding and abetting breach of trust.

According to the OPP, its professional standards unit received an internal complaint in February 2019 that alleged members of the OPP's highway safety division were giving "preferential treatment" to Greater Toronto Area tow truck operators.

The professional standards unit and its criminal investigation branch began a joint investigation in October 2019.

The accused OPP officers, who were arrested three days ago, have been suspended with pay since January 2021. The accused tow truck operators were arrested recently, according to the OPP.

All four accused, who were released on undertakings with conditions, are due in court on Jan. 6 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Police are urging anyone with information about the investigation to call the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or CrimeStoppers anonymously.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.6648644

[Michael Jack]

Two provincial police officers have been charged in connection with an investigation into misconduct allegations involving the towing industry.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said members of its Professional Standards Unit (PSU) received an internal complaint in Feb. 2019 that alleged OPP Highway Safety Division members were giving preferential treatment to tow operators within the Greater Toronto Area.

Nine months later, in October, the PSU and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch launched a probe into the allegations.

As a result, on Thursday, more than three years since the investigation commenced, police announced that they had arrested Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti.

The officers, who both worked at the OPP Mississauga Detachment, have been charged with breach of trust. Visconti, a 12-year member of the service, is facing an additional charge of obstructing a peace officer.

Police said 59-year-old Reefer, a member of the force for 29 years, and 36-year-old Visconti were released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in a Brampton court in January.

The two have been suspended with pay since Jan. 2021, police said.

Meanwhile, two other people, identified as 49-year-old Douglas Polus of Vaughan and 44-year-old Janan Dinkha of Mississauga, have been charged with aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They were also released on undertakings and are scheduled to attend a Brampton court next year.

Police continue to ask anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1222 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

https://www.cp24.com/news/two-opp-offic ... -1.6148648

https://www.iheartradio.ca/ctv-news-con ... 1.18775276

[Michael Jack]

Two provincial police officers have been charged in connection with an investigation into misconduct allegations involving the Ontario towing industry.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said members of its Professional Standards Unit (PSU) received an internal complaint in Feb. 2019 that alleged OPP Highway Safety Division members were giving preferential treatment to tow operators within the Greater Toronto Area.

Nine months later, in October, the PSU and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch launched a probe into the allegations.

As a result, on Thursday, more than three years since the investigation commenced, police announced that they had arrested Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti.

The officers, who both worked at the OPP Mississauga Detachment, have been charged with breach of trust. Visconti, a 12-year member of the service, is facing an additional charge of obstructing a peace officer.

Police said 59-year-old Reefer, a member of the force for 29 years, and 36-year-old Visconti were released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in a Brampton court in January.

The two have been suspended with pay since Jan. 2021, police said.

Meanwhile, two other people, identified as 49-year-old Douglas Polus of Vaughan and 44-year-old Janan Dinkha of Mississauga, have been charged with aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They were also released on undertakings and are scheduled to attend a Brampton court next year.

Police continue to ask anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1222 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/two-opp-offi ... -1.6148653

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/two-o ... -1.6148653

[Michael Jack]

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two OPP members and two individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving the towing industry.

In February 2019, the OPP Professional Standards Unit (PSU) received an internal complaint alleging members of the OPP Highway Safety Division (HSD) were providing preferential treatment to tow operators within the Greater Toronto Area. In October 2019, a joint investigation commenced with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and the OPP PSU involving allegations of breach of trust. As a result of this investigation, two OPP officers have each been charged with breach of trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code:

- Sgt. Terrence Reefer, 59, OPP Mississauga Detachment (29 years of service)

- Provincial Const. Roberto Visconti, 36, OPP Mississauga Detachment (12 years of service)

Visconti is also charged with one count of obstructing peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code.

The accused OPP members have been suspended with pay since January 2021. The accused OPP members were arrested on Nov. 7, 2022 and have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in court on Jan. 6, 2023 at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 7755 Hurontario St. in Brampton.

The OPP has also charged Douglas Polus, 49, of the City of Vaughan and Janan Dinkha, 44, of the City of Mississauga with one count each of aiding and abetting breach of trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code. The accused were arrested and have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in court on Jan. 6, 2023 at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 7755 Hurontario St. in Brampton.

If anyone has information regarding this ongoing investigation, they are urged to call the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers.

https://www.bradfordtoday.ca/police-bea ... on-6089683

https://www.orilliamatters.com/police-b ... on-6089643

[Michael Jack]

Toronto, Ontario — Details from an internal investigation from the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Professional Standards Unit have uncovered that two Mississauga, Ont.-based police officers, Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti, were arrested for allegedly giving preferential treatment to certain tow truck operators within the GTA.

The two officers, both from the OPP’s Mississauga detachment, had been on paid suspension since January 2021 while an investigation, first spawned from a February 2019 internal complaint, was carried out to determine their culpability.

36-year-old Visconti, an officer of 12 years, has been charged with breach of trust and obstructing a peace officer while Reefer, 59 and with 29 years in the service, has been charged with breach of trust.

Arrested alongside the two officers were 49-year-old Douglas Polus of Vaughan and 44-year-old Janan Dinkha of Mississauga, both of whom were charged with aiding and abetting breach of trust.

The pair were released on undertakings and are scheduled to attend a Brampton court next year.

This is far from the first time the OPP has been pitted against itself for the involvement of officers in towing corruption schemes—schemes that have been linked to allegations of sexual coercion on the part of some officers, the filing of fraudulent insurance claims and theft of encrypted police radios.

https://www.collisionrepairmag.com/spec ... operators/

[Michael Jack]

In February 2019, the OPP received an internal complaint claiming members of the Mississauga detachment were giving preferential treatment to tow operators.

In October 2019, a investigation began involving allegations of breach of trust and as a result of this investigation, Sgt. Terrence Reefer, 59, with 29 years of service, and Const. Roberto Visconti, 36, with 12 years of service have both been charged with breach of trust.

Visconti has also been charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Both officers were suspended with pay since January 2021.

They were arrested on Monday and have been released on undertakings with conditions.

They are expected appear at the Brampton courthouse on Jan. 6, 2023.

Police have also charged Douglas Polus, 49, of Vaughan and Janan Dinkha, 44, of Mississauga with one count each of aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in Brampton court on the same day as the officers.

Tow truck wars in the GTA have led to numerous arrests and charges that include murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

During the wars, tow truck operators have been involved in fraudulent accident insurance claims.

Police have said unscrupulous tow companies have taken advantage of a lack of oversight to defraud consumers and insurance companies.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or, call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

https://o.canada.com/news/local-news/op ... stry-probe

[Michael Jack]

Two Ontario Provincial Police officers are among four people who have been charged in an investigation into alleged misconduct involving the towing industry.

In an OPP news release issued Thursday, officials said two towing operators were also charged.

Police said that in February 2019, the OPP Professional Standards Unit received an internal complaint that alleged members of the force’s Highway Standards Division were giving preferential treatment to towing operations in the Greater Toronto Area.

In October 2019, the OPP’s criminal branch and professional standards launched a joint investigation.

Two OPP officers based out of the Mississauga detachment have since been charged with breach of trust: 59-year-old Sgt. Terrence Reefer, who has 29 years of service, and 36-year-old Const. Roberto Visconti, who has 12 years of service.

Visconti was also charged with one count of obstructing a peace officer.

They were arrested on Monday and later released on undertakings. They are set to appear in court in early January.

The OPP said the officers have been suspended with pay since January 2021.

The statement also said 49-year-old Vaughan resident Douglas Polus and 44-year-old Mississauga resident Janan Dinkha were each charged with one count of aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They were also released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court in January.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9271112/2-op ... stigation/

[Michael Jack]

The Ontario Provincial Police have charged two officers with misconduct involving the towing industry.

In February 2019, the OPP received an internal complaint claiming members of the Mississauga detachment were giving preferential treatment to tow operators.

In October 2019, a investigation began involving allegations of breach of trust and as a result of this investigation, Sgt. Terrence Reefer, 59, with 29 years of service, and Const. Roberto Visconti, 36, with 12 years of service have both been charged with breach of trust.

Visconti has also been charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Both officers were suspended with pay since January 2021.

They were arrested on Monday and have been released on undertakings with conditions.

They are expected appear at the Brampton courthouse on Jan. 6, 2023.

Police have also charged Douglas Polus, 49, of Vaughan and Janan Dinkha, 44, of Mississauga with one count each of aiding and abetting breach of trust.

They have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in Brampton court on the same day as the officers.

Tow truck wars in the GTA have led to numerous arrests and charges that include murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

During the wars, tow truck operators have been involved in fraudulent accident insurance claims.

Police have said unscrupulous tow companies have taken advantage of a lack of oversight to defraud consumers and insurance companies.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or, call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/ ... stry-probe

[Michael Jack]

Two Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the Mississauga detachment are facing charges for breach of trust for allegedly providing preferential treatment to some tow truck operators.

According to the OPP, in February 2019, the Professional Standards Unit received an internal complaint about police officers in the Highway Safety Division favouring certain tow truck operators in the Greater Toronto Area. In October 2019, the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and Professional Standards Unit started a joint investigation.

On Nov. 7, 59-year-old Sgt. Terrence Reefer and 36-year-old Const. Roberto Visconti were charged with breach of trust.

Visconti was also charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Both officers have been suspended with pay since January 2021.

“Public trust and confidence is the cornerstone of the OPP and all members of the organization are held to a higher standard of behaviour,” said Bill Dickson, speaking on behalf of the OPP. “Regrettably, there are instances when OPP employees have been charged with criminal offences or have contravened the Police Services Act. The OPP treats and investigates police officers accused of breaking the law in the same manner as it investigates any other individual.”

Reefer has served 29 years on the force and Visconti has been with the OPP for 12.

Two civilians, a 49-year-old from Vaughan and a 44-year-old from Mississauga, were charged with aiding and abetting.

The accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 6 at the Brampton courthouse.

https://www.mississauga.com/news-story/ ... t-charges/

[Michael Jack]

The OPP has charged two OPP members and two individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving the towing industry.

In February 2019, the OPP Professional Standards Unit (PSU) received an internal complaint alleging members of the OPP Highway Safety Division (HSD) were providing preferential treatment to tow operators within the Greater Toronto Area. In October 2019, a joint investigation commenced with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and the OPP PSU involving allegations of breach of trust. As a result of this investigation, two OPP officers have each been charged with Breach of Trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code:

- Sergeant Terrence Reefer – aged 59 years – OPP Mississauga Detachment (29 years of service)

- Provincial Constable Roberto Visconti- aged 36 years – OPP Mississauga Detachment (12 years of service)

Visconti is also charged with one count of Obstructing Peace Officer/

The accused OPP members have been suspended with pay since January 2021. The accused OPP members were arrested on November 7, 2022 and have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in court on January 6, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton.

The OPP has also charged Douglas Polus, aged 49 years of the City of Vaughan and Janan Dinkha, aged 44 years of the City of Mississauga with one count each of Aiding and Abetting Breach of Trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code. The accused were arrested and have been released on undertakings with conditions and are expected to appear in court on January 6, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton.

https://muskoka411.com/two-opp-members- ... -of-trust/

[Michael Jack]

An Ontario Provincial Police officer who pleaded guilty to criminal charges for giving preferential treatment to two tow truck companies in the Greater Toronto Area has been fired.

The Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission (OPAAC) ordered the termination of Const. Roberto Visconti’s employment with the OPP following a hearing that found he “engaged in conduct that constitutes misconduct.”

OPAAC Adjudicator Leonard Favreau wrote in his decision that firing Visconti was the “only reasonable penalty proportionate to the misconduct.”

His misconduct and disciplinary hearings were held together “in absentia” or without Visconti. Favreau wrote that Visconti had repeatedly failed to engage in the proceedings.

“As noted in the Interlocutory Decision, Constable Visconti failed to take reasonable steps afforded to him to retain counsel or provide means to serve him with notices of hearings,” he wrote, adding that notices were also sent to the home address he provided, but they were refused or no efforts were made to respond.

According to the OPAAC decision, Visconti, who was charged by the OPP Professional Standards Unit in 2022, pleaded guilty to one count of breach of trust on June 12, 2024. He was handed a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation.

In the summary of the agreed statement of facts included in the OPAAC decision, Visconti admitted to giving preferential treatment to two tow truck operators and “took steps” to ensure the companies received almost all towing referrals from his traffic stops.

Visconti referred 700 of the 703 tickets he issued between Jan. 2018 and Jan. 2021 to the two companies despite there being 80 different towing operators in the area.

According to the summary of the facts, Visconti would inform the two operators when he was working and where he would set up his radar detection, prompting them to park their trucks near him.

As a result of his preferential treatment, the two companies received a combined financial benefit of $925,000 over the three-year period.

“In knowingly providing a significant financial benefit to the recipients of his preferential treatment, the Defendant’s conduct represented a serious and marked departure from the standards expected of a police officer for a purpose other than the public good,” according to the summary of the statement of facts.

The OPP, who was the prosecution, submitted that dismissal was the only appropriate punishment, “given the seriousness, prolonged nature, and public impact of the misconduct, as well as the lack of meaningful engagement or evidence of rehabilitation from the defendant.”

“Having been found guilty of a criminal offence in the performance of those duties and authorities, I find that Constable Visconti has greatly undermined public trust, in him and in policing in general,” Favreau wrote in his decision.

He noted that Visconti’s misconduct was not a “single aberrant act or isolated incident.”

Favreau wrote that while Visconti’s plea shows that he took some responsibility and could be recognized as evidence of remorse, his decision not to participate in the OPAAC hearings diminished that.

“I note that outside of his guilty plea in the criminal matter, there is no evidence before me that Constable Visconti has expressed remorse or has an understanding of the impact his actions have had on his colleagues and superiors within the Police Service, on the Service as an institution, and on the public,” the adjudicator wrote.

Visconti’s decision not to engage also undermined his willingness to engage in meaningful reform or rehabilitation.

“I note that he provided no explanation for his absence from these proceedings, nor did assert any medical limitations, disability, scheduling issue, or other conflict that would have prevented his participation,” Favreau wrote.

He added that Visconti was aware of the OPAAC hearings and “deliberately obstructed and delayed” them.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association said in a statement that it acknowledges the adjudicator’s decisions.

Scott Mills, the strategic communications coordinator of the OPPA, said that the officer did not request legal assistance from the union.

“The OPPA recognizes the importance of accountability in policing and its impact on the public. We also reaffirm the right of all of our officers to procedural fairness, representation, and careful adjudication in discipline hearings,” Mills said in a statement.

“This matter will be reviewed closely by our legal counsel for its implications under the CSPA and the evolving police discipline process in Ontario.”

https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ ... ors-fired/

https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026 ... ors-fired/

[Michael Jack]

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Roberto Visconti has been dismissed after being found guilty of breach of trust for giving two tow truck companies in the GTA preference over a three year period, netting them $925,000.

A disciplinary tribunal has ordered the dismissal of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Roberto Visconti after he was found guilty of breach of trust in connection with a scheme that steered nearly $1 million in benefits to two tow truck operators in the GTA over a three-year period.

In November 2022, Visconti and fellow veteran OPP officer Sgt. Terrence Reefer were criminally charged with breach of trust. Two GTA civilian tow operators were also charged in connection with the investigation.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/opp-co ... 3d890.html

[Michael Jack]

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Roberto Visconti has been dismissed after being found guilty of breach of trust for giving two tow truck companies in the GTA preference over a three year period, netting them $925,000.

A disciplinary tribunal has ordered the dismissal of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Roberto Visconti after he was found guilty of breach of trust in connection with a scheme that steered nearly $1 million in benefits to two tow truck operators in the GTA over a three-year period.

In November 2022, Visconti and fellow veteran OPP officer Sgt. Terrence Reefer were criminally charged with breach of trust. Two GTA civilian tow operators were also charged in connection with the investigation.

The Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission’s decision details how Visconti, a traffic officer working on the GTA’s 400-series highways, repeatedly gave preferential treatment to two specific towing firms which allowed them to dominate police arranged tows. Of the 703 tickets issued by Visconti between 2018 and 2020, 700 resulted in referrals to just those two companies (which the document failed to identify), despite 80 different towing companies operating in the region.

The records show that the two firms received a combined $925,000 ($520,000 and $405,000, respectively) in benefits resulting from Visconti’s actions. The commission described the misconduct as “a serious and marked departure from the standards expected of a police officer for a purpose other than the public good.”

The tribunal also established that he was “a police officer in good standing for eight years prior to the commencement of the misconduct at issue and that he had favourable performance assessments.”

Visconti pleaded guilty to the criminal charge on June 12, 2024, receiving a suspended sentence and 12 months’ probation. According to the panel, his guilty plea was entered voluntarily and Visconti admitted to the essential elements of the offence.

Despite repeated attempts to serve him with notice and involve him in the disciplinary process, Visconti neither participated in the proceedings nor offered any explanation for his actions. “There is no evidence that Constable Visconti is unable to engage in these proceedings; rather, only that he is unwilling,” the tribunal noted. Registered letters sent to his home address were refused or ignored and he did not respond to material or deadlines set by the prosecution.

The panel’s decision emphasized that “police officers must be held to a higher standard than the average citizen,” and that Visconti’s actions represented “a serious abuse of power” contrary to his oath of office.

While his guilty plea showed an acceptance of responsibility, the panel noted that he has taken no meaningful steps to reform himself since then. Instead, the decision emphasized that Visconti’s active avoidance of the disciplinary hearings, including dodging the service of legal documents, directly contradicted any claims that he was willing to change.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/opp-co ... 3d890.html

[Michael Jack]

An Ontario Provincial Police officer who gave preferential treatment to towing companies in the Toronto area over a three-year span has been fired for misconduct following a disciplinary hearing.

Roberto Visconti, who was convicted of breach of trust in 2024 after an internal OPP investigation of his conduct as a constable patrolling the Greater Toronto Area’s 400-series highways, had his employment with the service terminated in a Sunday decision from an Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission panel.

Between 2018 and 2021, Visconti provided favours to two tow truck operators, ensuring they received almost all towing referrals from his traffic stops, an Ontario court found in 2024.

Of the 703 traffic tickets Visconti issued over the three-year period, 700 of the tow referrals went to those two companies, despite there being 80 towing companies in the area, according to an agreed statement of facts submitted to the disciplinary panel. The companies paid Visconti about $925,000 combined for preferential treatment.

“In knowingly providing a significant financial benefit to the recipients of his preferential treatment, [Visconti’s] conduct represented a serious and marked departure from the standards expected of a police officer for a purpose other than the public good,” adjudicator Leonard Favreau wrote in the disciplinary panel’s decision.

Because he was found guilty of breach of trust under the Criminal Code, and willingly abstained from attending his own disciplinary hearing to defend himself, Favreau said “the only reasonable penalty proportionate to the misconduct and reflective of the circumstances of Constable Visconti is to terminate his employment.”

Favreau also noted that Visconti had pleaded guilty to the charges against him and admitted to the underlying facts of the offence in his 2024 conviction. There was also “limited evidence before the Panel concerning Constable Visconti’s potential for reform or rehabilitation,” he wrote.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) will closely review the decision to proceed with the hearing in Visconti's absence for potential implications on future police discipline in the province, spokesperson Scott Mills said in a statement. He said Visconti did not request legal assistance from the OPPA.

"The OPPA recognizes the importance of accountability in policing and its impact on the public. We also reaffirm the right of our all of our officers to procedural fairness, representation, and careful adjudication in discipline hearings," he said.

Visconti was one of two officers charged with breach of trust in 2022, three years after the OPP received an internal complaint that alleged members of the highway safety division were giving "preferential treatment" to Greater Toronto Area tow-truck operators.

He was suspended with pay in 2021 and received a suspended sentence and 12-months probation following his 2024 conviction.

Visconti's termination comes months after several Toronto police officers were arrested following a corruption investigation linked to the tow-truck industry.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -9.7222179