Of all the emotions the public has about being governed, surely the most important thing is trust.

Once faith and trust are shattered, the entire relationship between elected officials and senior administrators and the public is jeopardized. The acceptance of local government actions and policies drops. The belief that their government is good and protects them falls away. And of all the feelings that a municipality generates, perhaps none is so important as the trust between the public and their police service.

That is why the stunning allegations over the past few days against members of the Toronto Police Service have shocked not just the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) but have rippled across the nation.

Seven officers and one retired officer have been charged with a variety of offenses, including corruption, drug trafficking, accepting bribes, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Subsequently, three officers from another GTA police service were suspended.

The public, quite rightly, is aghast.

The investigations will broaden. Already, Ontario's independent Inspector-General of Policing has announced a province-wide review into potential police corruption of all Ontario Police Services.

That will be a massive undertaking. There are 45 police services in Ontario. Presumably the enquiry will be chaired by an external appointee, perhaps a retired judge from another province. It will take time to deliver its report.

In the interim, all police boards in Canada are no doubt discussing this breach of the public trust. Questions will be asked. Chiefs of Police will be digging deeply into their department. The public has every right to demand an honest and transparent police governance model, and officers whom they can trust.

Police cadets swear an oath when they are accepted as officers. I am a former Chair of a Police Services Board, and I can tell you that it is a solemn and moving ceremony to welcome new officers into the force.

Serving on a police board is a challenging duty. Many local politicians have served on their local board and they know that it is a grave responsibility.

The municipal public purse funds local police forces, either directly or through a contracted service. Police costs take a significant and increasing share of municipal budgets. The public has generally accepted those higher costs because they want a safe community—and one where they can have confidence in their police. In other words, trust. Now, perhaps the acceptance of higher local costs will not be as readily tolerated,

All police services will have to work even harder at maintaining and enhancing that public trust after the shocking revelations in the GTA.

Public trust is earned every day.