#5 District
8700 McCowan Road, Markham

Command Team:
Superintendent Graeme Turl
Inspector Carolyn Bishop

With a population of more than 270,247, Superintendent Graeme Turl and Inspector Carolyn Bishop, supported by 207 police officers and seven civilian members, work hard to provide policing services to the culturally-rich communities of Markham and the southern area of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

According to the 2006 census, the City of Markham has the greatest number and percentage of visible minorities in the country at 65.4 per cent. The community has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with new housing developments and businesses locating in the area that boasts a unique blend of scenic farmland and corporate head offices.

The District is well served by the Stouffville Community Policing Centre, which is located in the heart of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and is staffed by dedicated volunteers.

Our Officers in Action

Throughout the year numerous investigatins were undertaken by the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau to maintain residents' safety and security. One such investigation involved allegations of negligence of an 87-year-old woman under the care of Personal Support Workers. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville resident was totally dependent upon her worker and was unable to communicate. Her medical condition required the workers to use a mechanical lift to move her. Police were called after the woman had a bad fall using the lift and she required hospital treatment and 15 staples to close a head wound. Investigation revealed an improper lift was used. One of the senior's workers was charged with Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm. Investigators also discovered the worker had attempted to cover up her actions by removing the improper lift from the room and replacing it with another before notifying a supervisor.

Another investigation involved the identification of an individual responsible for numerous residential Break and Enters. Some of the entries occurred during the early morning hours while homeowners were sleeping, while others occurred during the day. In response, #5 District developed an initiative to respond quickly to any suspcious persons and alarm calls during the times during which the Break and Enters most occurred. At one of the Break and Enters, a forensic sample was obtained from evidence left at the scene. The evidence provided police with a subject identified through the National DNA Data Bank and led to the arrest of a male living in the City of Toronto. A search warrant was granted and investigators recovered the stolen property from Break and Enters in both Toronto and York Region. The stolen property was returned to their rightful owners.

In addition to work done on the job, many of our members strive to make a difference in their spare time too, and York Regional Police partners with a variety of community organizations in fundraising activities and community events. #5 District's Graffiti Clean-Up Day is an example of such an activity. Organized for the first time in 2011, the event co-ordinated volunteers from five local high schools, the City of Markham and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and Home Depot.