Detective Kim Gross, Toronto Police Service

This first officer's career started seventeen years ago after graduating from Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto. Working undercover as a drug squad officer this woman has participated in numerous investigations and 'takedowns' co-ordinating surveillance, handling drug exhibits, executing search warrants and arresting accused persons.

In one undercover assignment she went on a pre-arranged ‘date’ with accused killer Robert Baltovich to assist gathering valuable information on the Elizabeth Bain murder case. In another she infiltrated an anarchist group for intelligence information about an obscure group who were posing a threat to officials of the City of Toronto.

But it was early in the 90's that this officer gained her expertise in the area of 'wiretaps'. Since that time she has worked on several complicated and lengthy investigations. One where she received a commendation centred in on the distribution of pure grade heroin across Canada. In total there were 86 phone lines intercepted and 227,000 interceptions made. The investigation
netted twelve pounds of heroin, six automatic handguns and 44 persons arrested. The amounts of disclosure evidence were staggering but the evidence of the nominated officer proved invaluable to the successful prosecution of the gang members in this case.

Since then this officer has been the project liaison officer for her Service's Intelligence unit. She has become an expert on wire tap and search warrant applications. She is responsible for recruiting candidates with the required language skills, often dealing with staffing and labour issues. She has become known throughout the province and the country as a wiretap expert and teacher. She regularly lectures other police services and intelligence gathering organizations, and has developed specialized training for civilians currently working in the Intelligence unit.

The letters of thanks and commendation in her file from police services and courts across the country are too numerous to mention. But if there is one area where her worth is truly valued, it is in the courts of Toronto. When an investigator appears before a crown attorney or a judge with an application for electronic surveillance, the question inevitably arises. "Did you get your direction from our award nominee?" This says it all.

The co-winner of the 2003 Award for Excellence in Performance is Detective Kim Gross of the Toronto Police Service.