Toronto Police sources tell 680News that over a dozen uniforms are missing after being sent out to be cleaned over the past few days.
Police fear the uniforms could be used be people to misrepresent themselves as officers.
Toronto police public relations spokesperson Meaghan Gray told 680News she would not comment on the situation but said that security issues are always a concern.
"Certainly during this G20 planning period we've asked for our corporate partners to be particularly aware of any of these situations and to report any cases immediately to us." said Gray.
The thefts come less than two weeks before the G20 summit is to take place at the Metro Convention Centre.
Toronto Police communications officials had no comment.
Betty Skoutakis, the owner of Cadet Drycleaners, told The Toronto Star claims of missing uniforms are false.
“Nothing has been stolen,” she said. “I would know if we’re missing a belt.”
When an officer retired from the Toronto police department in the early 2000's all he or she had to turn in on the last day of work were his/her warrant card, (police identification card), badge, badge/warrant card holder, service weapon and ammunition, handcuffs, expandable baton, uniform cap badge, rules, regulations, procedures binder, uniform gun belt, handcuff pouch, spare ammunition pouches and pepper spray with pouch, as well as Sam Brown belt and strap and kevlar vest.
All other gear, (clothing, garrison boots or work boots, shirts, pants, tunics, reefers, (cold weather gear), hat(s), were not officially logged in save one or two pairs of pants, a tunic, reefer and hat.
It is not inconceivable that now 10 years after my retirement that their are numerous pieces of police equipment floating around North America which were once the property of the Toronto Police Service and are now in the hands of individuals who have a criminal purpose in mind for possessing such equipment.
As for the gun belt, holster, assorted pouches etc. it would not be difficult to procure those items from military/police stores which cater to wanna be's and weekend warriors.
I doubt Toronto is unique in the way it handles the cleaning contract for it's officers clothing and would surmize that if one were to audit all cleaning contractors across the continent you'd be coming across similar tales of missing uniforms.
By the by it was not unknown for a serving police officer to falsely claim the loss or theft of some piece of equipment when in fact it was given by the officer to a friend, lover, or relative.
Claiming that their is a rash of missing clothing from the dry cleaning contractor is now a little like closing the barn door after Trigger has run off to greener pasturers.
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