A Toronto police officer alleges she was subjected to years of intimidation and reprisals by fellow officers and supervisors after she intervened to stop what she said was the unjustified use of force during the arrest of a Black suspect. 

In her complaint to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Iranian-Canadian officer said she was punched by her partner at the time when she tried to step in during the March 2011 arrest. After reporting him, she said, she was passed over for promotions and left vulnerable to prolonged racist and sexist attacks from colleagues who called her a "rat."

CBC is referring to the woman by a pseudonym, "Darya," because she fears more backlash for speaking out.

"If you're not white — it doesn't matter if you're a citizen or you're an employee, you don't have any rights. It's systematic abuse," said the officer, who was hired by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) in 2009. 

In an exclusive interview with the CBC's The Fifth Estate, Darya said she was branded a liar after reporting her fellow officer and subsequently put at risk when other members of the force abandoned her during volatile calls. 

Mayor promises complaints to be 'fully investigated'

The Toronto Police Services Board has not yet filed a response to Darya's complaint, which was filed in September. In an emailed statement to CBC, senior advisor Sandy Murray said the board "confirms, unequivocally, that harassment and discrimination have no place in our organization." 

Darya's claim against TPS is one of 38 ongoing complaints alleging sexual misconduct by Toronto police officers against colleagues. Thirty-six of those complaints are being investigated internally, and two are before the human rights tribunal.

Additionally, the Special Investigations Unit, Ontario's police watchdog, is currently investigating five allegations of sexual assault against Toronto police officers. The SIU would not say if any of the victims in its open cases are members of the force.

Seven TPS officers accused of sexual misconduct are currently suspended with pay.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement to The Fifth Estate that he expects all harassment complaints to be "fully investigated" and that he is committed to creating a "respectful, safe and healthy workplace for all members of the service."