Toronto’s first black female police superintendent has suffered a DEI disaster having been forced to apologize for helping Black officers cheat on their promotional exam.
Appearing before a Toronto Police tribunal, Supt. Stacy Clarke said she was “deeply, deeply sorry” for the events which led to her disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, May 8. She explained she was “overcome with emotion and frustration” in her decision to provide six candidates with advanced notice of interview questions ahead of their promotional exams.
Clarke also admitted to conducting a mock assessment with a family friend featuring questions used in promotional interviews the previous week, with her lawyer describing his client’s “genuine belief and crushing epiphany” that the six Black candidates would be treated differently.
The Jamaican-born Canadian, who was part of the three-person panel which interviewed candidates in 2021, claimed it was “not the first time” that cheating during a promotional process had occurred.
Prosecutors are seeking a two-rank demotion to Staff Sergeant, while her defense team seeks a one-step demotion with the possibility to reapply for her current role in one year.
Reactions on social media were largely critical of the apparent DEI attempt. Some questioned whether diversity and equality helps to be a good police officer, while others raised concerns for minority officers who had earned their promotions through merit.
What’s your view? Was Supt. Clarke right in her actions? Or has DEI once again gone too far?
