Toronto police are making it rain ahead of the World Cup

Plus, a Toronto cop's investigation interference and convocation begins at U of T [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on police spending ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a Toronto cop who allegedly “blurred her role” to benefit her family and convocation against a backdrop of pro-Palestine protests. DON’T MISS Nick Lachance/The Star STAR EXCLUSIVE [Staff pay, new cars, AirPods: Dissecting Toronto police’s World Cup spending]( Toronto police have already spent more than $1.5 million preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Star has learned. The service says its expenses — which include boosted officer salaries, security conferences, new police cars, commemorative medallions, computers and Apple AirPods — are all essential to maintaining safety during the event, Ben Spurr reports. But critics charge the spending spree, paid for using a city reserve fund, shows signs the tournament is being used as a “supplementary fund for the police … to dip into to purchase want-to-haves, not need-to-haves.” [How are AirPods vital to keeping the peace?]( - What we know: More than $1.2 million of the spending was used to pad salaries, benefits and premium pay for the TPS FIFA planning team, which now has eight full-time members.  - Word from police: A spokesperson for the service said every spending decision goes through “multiple layers of approval” and that the force is making sure “all investments provide value in ensuring the safety and security of the World Cup.” - Context: Toronto, named a World Cup host city in 2022, estimated the cost of staging six matches at $380 million — including $90 million spent on safety and security. [Will it be worth the hefty price tag?]( Metroland File Photo policing [A senior Toronto police officer is being accused of interfering in the investigation into her nephew’s crash]( A high-ranking Toronto police unit commander “blurred her role” between police officer and family member when she rushed to the scene of a collision caused by her nephew and “inserted” herself in the investigation — preventing colleagues from determining if alcohol was a factor, a police misconduct tribunal heard yesterday. Insp. Joyce Schertzer drove to the 2022 crash, dispatched a cop from her station to the collision (located outside her division’s jurisdiction) and circumvented police protocol “to the benefit of [her] family,” a police document read. Schertzer’s nephew was cleared to leave within 10 minutes of her arrival, Wendy Gillis reports. [Take a closer look at what happened](. - More: [By the time Schertzer’s nephew was summoned back to the scene more than three hours later, it was too late for a breathalyzer](. “You’re very fortunate that you have family members who have helped this go away,” a Traffic Services officer told him at the scene. - The aftermath: Schertzer pleaded not guilty to three counts of professional misconduct under Ontario’s Police Services Act. If found guilty, she faces a penalty ranging from a reprimand to demotion or dismissal. Canadian Press/Chris Young protests [Protests, pomp and circumstance: Here’s how convocation at U of T began this year]( The University of Toronto has begun celebrating the academic achievements of its 13,000 graduating students and their loved ones in convocation ceremonies — all while the ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment protests continue in the background. It was a scene the university had hoped to avoid. U of T is still seeking a court injunction to clear the protesters, who have camped for a full month now in the university’s King’s College Circle. Monday’s ceremony passed without significant disruption, with several students walking the stage holding Palestinian flags, wearing kaffiyehs and special stoles with the flag over their gowns. [Here’s what graduation looks like this year](. - Go deeper: U of T’s 34 planned ceremonies began at Convocation Hall yesterday and will run through June 21. A court hearing on the university’s injunction against protesters is currently set for June 19. - Word from the university: “We acknowledge the pain and suffering felt by those impacted by the conflict in the Middle East and yet today’s ceremony is a time for celebration and a time for hope,” said Uof T Mississauga’s acting vice-president and principal, Ian Orchard. - Meanwhile: New video of an incident at the university that led to a pro-Palestinian protester being charged with assault casts new light on the encounter — [take a look at what really happened](. WHAT ELSE Israel confirmed four more hostages have died in Gaza. [All were killed during the Israeli army’s strikes on Khan Younis months ago](. Behind the scenes, Conservatives are furious over an [MP’s comments on a podcast that defied Pierre Poilievre’s wishes.]( “We are witnessing attacks on our judges.” [Democracy is at risk when courts come under fire, Canada’s top judge warns](. “Terrible deal.” [Doug Ford is being attacked over the possible $1 billion price tag for liberalized booze sales](. Ontario’s financial watchdog has launched a [review of the Ford government’s ServiceOntario deal with Staples](. “When is this thing going to stop?” [One man died and four were injured after more than 50 shots were fired outside Etobicoke high school](. A Toronto man beat a first-degree murder charge, [but went to prison anyway after refusing to implicate the killer](. The Trudeau government will [give foreign caregivers permanent residence on arrival in Canada](. Will interest rates be cut on Wednesday? [Traders — and some economists — are betting on yes](. A bus carrying Canadian tourists crashed in Cuba [leaving one dead and 26 injured](. Naked people will be biking around Toronto on Saturday. [Here’s why they’ve been doing it for 20 years](. Can “buy now, pay later” programs affect your credit score? [Here’s what shoppers need to know](. POV Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey [“Maybe the knives come out.” Justin Trudeau could be in big trouble if the Liberals lose this Toronto byelection.]( CLOSE-UP John Moore/Getty Images GRINDAVÍK: Lava spews from multiple craters of Iceland’s Sundhnúkur volcano in this aerial photo taken Monday, just north of the town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula, which has been evacuated since November. The volcano is erupting for the fifth time since December. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_214598). 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