Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts’s decision shines a light on the cut-throat practices within the GTA’s violence-plagued towing industry, and on the favouritism shown by some officers who, as public servants, are prohibited from giving preferential treatment to any person or entity.
Three other OPP police officers are still facing related charges, as is Sutheshkumar Sithambarpillay, the owner of the towing companies that received $500,000 in towing revenue with Showan’s help. Drivers caught going 50 km/h over the posted speed limit must have their vehicle impounded for seven days. “The fee for such impounds can often yield upwards of $2,000 per vehicle to the tow company,” according to the agreed facts read in court on June 7.
There were several examples. On April 5, 2020, Maple Towing was first on the scene to tow a vehicle to Quebec — until Showan and a Steve’s Towing flatbed truck showed up and took it away. Court heard that some tow truck drivers follow OPP officers from the detachment to enforcement locations and position their trucks at known “fishing holes” where they knew police speed traps would be set up, despite officers being told not to allow this.