Toronto cop demoted for 15 months after pleading guilty to discreditable conduct

A Toronto police officer has been demoted for 15 months after pleading guilty to one count of discreditable conduct. 

Const. Aseem Malhi will be demoted one rank from first class constable to second class constable for 15 months, after which he can return to his original rank, Toronto police tribunal hearing officer Paul Rinkoff wrote in his penalty decision, obtained by CBC Toronto on Tuesday. 

The hearing concerned "two isolated incidents" that began when an accused person was arrested and charged on May 23, 2017, Rinkoff wrote. Malhi was with Toronto Police Service's 12 Division at the time. 

Malhi's memorandum book notes on May 23 were insufficient as they did not include details of the search, the arrest and the accused's vehicle at the scene, according to the decision. 

Almost a year later at the accused's preliminary inquiry on Feb. 22, 2018, Malhi did not accurately testify about the circumstances around the search of the accused's car, the decision read. 

"PC Malhi acknowledges that he committed misconduct in that he did act in a manner likely to bring discredit upon the reputation of the TPS," Rinkoff wrote. 

Malhi pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct in November 2024. 

The defence said Malhi was balancing work, an illness in his family and sleep deprivation after the birth of his child a month prior to the preliminary inquiry when he provided the inaccurate testimony. 

Malhi has been a member of the force for 18 years. He "was well-respected by his peers and supervisors … and has the potential to excel in policing again," Rinkoff wrote in his decision, citing supervisory feedback, performance appraisals and awards received by the officer. 

The defence and prosecution agreed by joint submission to the 15-month demotion, according to the decision.