Toronto cop 'hiding behind PTSD' faces new charges, fellow cops want him out
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A troubled Toronto cop faces three new Police Act allegations of discreditable conduct, including shooting an illegal weapon in his neighbourhood and pepper spraying a handcuffed assault suspect in the back of his cruiser.
Matt Brewer, a downtown Toronto constable , is accused of Pepper spraying a suspect on Sept. 25, 2016 and profanely threatening to assault Staff Sgt. David Zebeski at 54 Division in July 2018.
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Brewer accused Zebeski of having sex with Brewer’s wife.
Brewer was also accused on the same day of screaming “abusive and insulting” language at a woman inside the LA Fitness Club on Taunton Rd. in Whitby before making a mess while exiting the gym.
A Toronto Police officer wrote an anonymous letter to the Sun, urging TPS to fire Brewer.
“Unfortunately there are a few bad apples on the job who hide behind PTSD to justify their bad behaviour,” wrote the 15-year veteran cop.
“Matt Brewer is one of those officers who’s unfit to serve. We fellow cops are fed up with the deals he had been getting and don’t like that we all look bad because of what he did and does.”
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In Nov. 2018, a police tribunal docked Brewer 40 hours pay for shooting his gun and having an illegal gun.
The police tribunal prosecution acknowledged Brewer “has an excellent work record with glowing evaluations, but has experienced a troubled personal life the past few years.”
In criminal court in 2017, Brewer — who joined the force in 2002 — pleaded guilty to common nuisance and possession of an unauthorised firearm and received a suspended sentence plus two years probation.
Justice Richard Blouin said Brewer brought a handgun into his bedroom where his spouse, a 51 Division cop, was sleeping.
Brewer then put the gun in his mouth and went outside, firing the weapon eight times into the sky, said Blouin.
Brewer was suffering from depression, alcoholism and PTSD at the time, court heard.
Beside his criminal record, Brewer admitted to drinking on the job and being disciplined for it in Nov. 2016, said Blouin.
Brewer’s fellow cops were outraged by his lenient treatment.
“That is SHOCKING and a DISGRACE,” the letter stated, adding that city cops are “disgusted with Brewer’s punishment and are disgusted” that he’s still on the job, working a soft TPS desk job.
Brewer’s use of pepper spray against handcuffed assailant Tyrone Hines was “excessive force and unjustified,” said Justice Blouin.
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