Toronto cop accused of relationship with sex trafficking victim

A Toronto Police officer is accused of carrying on a secret, longtime affair with a sex trafficking victim he met on the beat – a relationship that allegedly included a booty call at a motel and sexually explicit photos sent on his police-issued phone.

Const. Michael Harris made his first appearance this week before the Toronto Police disciplinary tribunal where he faces five charges under the Police Services Act. But he was told his case would have to be postponed until his criminal charges are resolved first.

And his wasn’t the only one.

At the tribunal this week, case after case had to be marked “sine die” – legalese for adjourned without a new date – due to an ongoing criminal case involving each officer. It wasn’t a good look for Toronto’s finest.

In September, Harris, 37, was criminally charged with breach of trust for an “inappropriate” relationship but no further details were released. Now with his Police Services Act charges, we’ve learned more about his alleged 20-month clandestine relationship with a “vulnerable” woman identified as A.B.

According to the notice of hearing, the 31 Division officer was working with a partner when they allegedly first met the sex worker who was addicted to drugs thanks to her pimp. After building a rapport with A.B., Harris helped her in August 2021 to come forward with information about her pimp and he arranged an introduction to investigators with the Human Trafficking Enforcement Team.

“You were aware of her personal circumstances and resulting vulnerability; despite that, you became involved in a personal relationship with her that spanned from September 2021 to May 2023,” the notice alleges.

“You sent A.B. sexually explicit images of yourself on multiple occasions. On occasion, A.B. sent intimate images of herself to you.”

On May 16, 2023, police allege Harris finished his shift at 7 p.m. and contacted A.B. to see her.

“A.B. was at a motel room in Vaughan and you sent her an e-transfer for $25 from your personal bank account so she could extend her room stay. You met A.B. at the motel and engaged in a sexual act with her; you left shortly thereafter.”

The allegations contend Harris met with A.B. for official police business during this lengthy period but didn’t disclose his relationship to the other officers present or inform his supervisor of the apparent conflict of interest.

“Furthermore, you told A.B. not to say anything to anyone about your relationship,” the notice alleges.

She also wasn’t the only one he was sexting on his company phone, police allege.

According to the notice of hearing, an examination of Harris’s phone seized during the investigation revealed a series of sexually explicit images sent to others – including photos and a video to “C.D.” via WhatsApp in April 2023 and another sexually explicit photo to “E.F.” in June 2023.

None of the allegations have been proven.

Also before the tribunal was Andrew Davis, who was charged by the SIU in September with aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm with intent to maim, wound, disfigure or endanger life after a man holding a knife was shot twice.

Davis also faces Police Services Act charges stemming from the incident for allegedly failing to use de-escalation techniques in February 2023 when a man began engaging in self harm “at which point you discharged two rounds from your service pistol. Both rounds struck D.F.,” the notice says.

“At the time of discharging your firearm there was no risk of bodily harm or death to any member of the public other than D.F. Your use of force was also contrary to Service Governance.”

Also seeing their tribunal case deferred until the criminal process is completed was Const. Andrew Corkill, who faces criminal charges of fraud and breach of trust for over-billing paid duty customers, Const. Stephen Adjei-Bediako who’s been charged with over 80 and Const. Robert Konashewych who was convicted last year of defrauding a vulnerable man’s estate of $831,000.

In the meantime, all of the officers remain suspended with pay, except for Konashewych who is currently suspended without pay and out bail appealing his criminal conviction.