Suspended Peel officers connected to Project South face misconduct review by police complaint agency; one allegedly involved in insurance fraud plan

The three Peel officers suspended earlier this month after York Police connected them to its ongoing corruption and organized crime probe, Project South, are now facing a misconduct review by Ontario’s independent police complaint agency. 

In a February 25 press release, officials with the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) announced that following notification from Peel Police two days earlier, the agency had launched an investigation. 

“I want to assure the public that we will be conducting an independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct related to Project South, together with any further misconduct allegations that may arise in the course of the ongoing criminal investigations,” said Director of LECA Stephen Leach in the press release. 

The LECA review does not eliminate the potential that the Peel officers could eventually face criminal charges as a result of York’s ongoing Project South investigation. LECA is also investigating the conduct of the seven Toronto officers who have been criminally charged.

LECA does not identify the three Peel officers, noting “no names have been released to the public at this time”. Sources have told The Pointer the suspended Peel officers connected to Project South are: Sergeant Adrian Shipp, Constable Scott King, and Constable Paul Binns.

Chiefs of Police in Ontario are required under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) to inform LECA of any alleged misconduct by one of their officers that impacts a member of the public. It’s unclear why Peel’s Chief Nishan Duraiappah sent the notification on February 23, when the three officers were suspended on February 6, the day after York Police announced the initial findings of Project South in an alarming press conference. 

At least three shootings connected to Project South, the ongoing organized crime and police corruption investigation by York Police, occurred at homes in Brampton.

(York Regional Police)

Seven Toronto Police officers, and one recently retired member, have been charged in connection to the ongoing corruption and organized crime investigation. 

The three Peel officers have not been charged, but are currently suspended. Peel Police have not answered questions from The Pointer about the three suspended officers including queries regarding if they are sidelined from work with, or without pay.

Court documents obtained by The Pointer detailing some of the alleged criminal activity by three now charged Toronto Police officers describe how in December 2025, Constable Binns was allegedly communicating with  Sergeant Robert Black, one of the Toronto police officers charged, to commit fraud “by arranging for Binns’ vehicle to be stolen so that the insurance company would compensate (him).” The fraud was never carried out. 

Peel Police has not shared any details about the suspended officers' alleged involvement in the organized crime and police corruption scheme being investigated by York Police. 

The other two suspended Peel officers named by The Pointer do not appear in the court documents obtained. It remains unclear why the three officers were suspended in connection to Project South. All of them could face criminal charges, as the investigation is ongoing. 

“LECA’s conduct investigation will not interfere with any ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions, nor does the initiation of a conduct investigation displace the right of members of the public to submit a related complaint,” the LECA press release explains.

The disturbing revelations uncovered by York Police included gangland-style shootings and outlined how the targeted attacks, and a conspiracy to kill a Toronto-area corrections officer, allegedly involved Toronto police officers feeding information to an organized criminal network with international ties.

The shocking allegations of corruption triggered an Ontario-wide review of every force by the province’s Inspector General of Policing. That review is already facing questions about its independence, timing and cost. 

In the weeks since the announcement of Project South, Peel Police leadership has remained silent. No statements have been released by Chief Duraiappah, and officials  have refused to answer questions from The Pointer. 

- With files from Benjamin Steeves 

Email: [email protected]

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