Toronto officer arrested in Project South investigation pleads guilty to 2 charges

Toronto police officer Derek McCormick has pleaded guilty to two charges related to his involvement in the Project South corruption investigation, according to court documents released by the York Regional Police. McCormick, a former police constable, admitted to stealing a cellphone and breaching his duty by taking possession of found property. As a result, he will serve a 10-month conditional sentence under house arrest. The charges stem from McCormick's role in the larger probe into alleged corruption within the Toronto police force. He was arrested in February 2025 and charged with four counts of theft under $5,000, one count of breach of the trust by a public officer, and another count of obstruction of justice. At the time of his arrest, York Regional Police alleged that McCormick participated in the theft of personal property from a police facility, including driver’s licenses, health cards, and passports. A substantial portion of this stolen property was later recovered. During the court proceedings, McCormick’s lawyer, Gary Clewley, stated that McCormick believed his actions were justified at the time. “He thought it was the right thing to do, so he did it,” Clewley told reporters. He added that McCormick acknowledged the wrongdoing and accepted responsibility for his actions. McCormick will serve his sentence under house arrest followed by a period of curfew before resuming his daily life. McCormick resigned from the Toronto police force last month, following his arrest. A spokesperson for the Toronto police department confirmed his resignation to Global News. His case is part of a wider investigation that alleges connections between a drug network led by Ryan Wedding, police officers, and even some jail guards. The investigation began after an alleged attempted murder of a high-ranking employee at the Toronto South Detention Centre in June 2025. York Regional Police outlined in a recently partially unsealed court document that their findings reveal a broader pattern of misconduct. The report states that several police officers, including Const. Timothy Barnhardt and others, improperly accessed confidential police databases at the request of their civilian associations. These officers retrieved sensitive information and disclosed it, which is considered a violation of both professional ethics and legal standards. The report further claims that these incidents collectively illustrate a systemic issue involving the misuse of police authority and the facilitation of criminal activities. It underscores the need for internal reforms and stricter oversight mechanisms within law enforcement agencies. Clewley emphasized that McCormick had no direct connection to the broader conspiracy being investigated. “(He) doesn’t have one; he had nothing to do with that,” he said. “He got roped in by that guy, but he’s got nothing to do with that.” This distinction highlights the complexity of the case, where individual actions may diverge from larger organizational patterns. The ongoing investigation continues to examine potential links between different levels of law enforcement and organized crime networks. While McCormick’s case represents a specific instance of misconduct, it reflects a growing concern over integrity issues within policing structures. Further developments are expected as more individuals face scrutiny and additional charges are potentially laid.