OPP Report Finds No Evidence of Wrongdoing by Officers in Umar Zameer Case
A new Ontario Provincial Police review found no evidence that three Toronto police officers lied, colluded, or committed criminal offences in the trial of Umar Zameer, who was charged and later cleared of first-degree murder in the death of Detective Constable Jeffrey Northrup.
What the OPP Found in the Umar Zameer Case
The OPP investigation examined allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice against Sgt. Lisa Forbes, Const. Antonio Correa and Const. Scharnil Pais. The report concludes there is no evidence the officers committed criminal offences in connection with their testimony and roles as key witnesses in the trial.
The three officers had testified that Northrup was struck while standing in the middle of a laneway in an underground parking garage with his hands outstretched. That account was contradicted by security footage shown during the trial. The judge noted the possibility of collusion because the officers shared the same incorrect memory.
The trial included evidence that Pais, Correa and several other officers wrote their notes in the same room more than a month after the incident, a practice the judge described as a “note-taking party. ” Court proceedings also revealed that Pais and Correa conducted a walkthrough of the garage together about two weeks before writing their notes.
Why the Review Was Ordered and What Comes Next
The review was requested by the Toronto police chief after the judge made adverse comments about officer testimony in the trial that led to Umar Zameer’s acquittal. The chief also ordered an internal review of plainclothes policing practices and said a broader look at testimony, conduct, procedures, practices and training was warranted when judicial concerns arise.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw is scheduled to speak publicly at a news conference on Tuesday at 1: 30 pm ET, joined by the Toronto Police Association president. The full OPP report will be released at the start of that event, and the public briefing is expected to outline the investigative findings and any administrative or policy steps the service plans to take.
The three officers have faced nearly two years of intense public scrutiny and uncertainty while the allegations were examined. Police acknowledged the personal and professional consequences of being accused of dishonesty under oath and said the impact on the officers has been significant, even as independent investigators determined no criminal offences occurred.
Northrup was killed on July 2, 2021, after he was struck by a vehicle in an underground parking garage at City Hall while responding to a call with Sgt. Forbes. Umar Zameer was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the incident; he maintained during the trial that he did not know Northrup was a police officer and believed he was fleeing an attack on his family. A jury acquitted Zameer in April 2024, finding he acted out of fear and without intent to harm.
The announcement of the OPP review followed criticism of how the original homicide investigation and subsequent prosecution were handled. The trial prompted broader questions about plainclothes operations, note-taking practices and the timing of investigative steps, all of which will be part of ongoing internal and external scrutiny now that the OPP has released its findings.
The upcoming press availability will provide the first public explanation from the police chief about the report’s conclusions and the service’s response. Observers and legal representatives have expressed differing views about whether an inter-agency review sufficiently addresses the concerns raised at trial, and the briefing is expected to be closely watched for details on any procedural or training changes that may follow.
