Toronto Police Constable Boris Borissov has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of 15 charges, including theft, fraud, and abuse of police resources. Ontario Judge Mary Ellen Misener handed down the sentence, describing Borissov’s actions as a severe betrayal of public trust. Misener noted the officer’s “reprehensible” actions in stealing from deceased individuals he was meant to protect, adding that a harsh sentence was essential to prevent further erosion of public confidence in law enforcement.
In 2022, while investigating a missing person case, Borissov stole a TAG Heuer watch from the man’s home while the man’s brother discovered a suicide note in a nearby room. Borissov tried to sell the watch, but it was never recovered. Later, he stole the man’s credit card and provided it to an accomplice, who used it fraudulently, prompting Borissov to falsify a police report to cover his involvement.
In another incident in 2020, Borissov took a credit card from a deceased woman’s apartment while her cause of death was still under investigation. He also allegedly used police resources to run unauthorized checks on a stolen vehicle and his accomplice.
Borissov, 50, appeared in court on Tuesday, where he remained silent as Judge Misener addressed the “calculated” nature of his actions. Crown Prosecutor Samuel Walker advocated for the seven-year sentence, while Borissov’s defense lawyer, Joanne Mulcahy, argued for an 18-month conditional sentence, citing his struggles with PTSD and substance use disorder. Misener acknowledged Borissov’s mental health challenges but found no direct link between his condition and his criminal behavior.
In addition to his prison sentence, Borissov must pay a $2,800 victim fine surcharge and provide a DNA sample. Borissov’s actions have deeply affected the family of one of his victims, with Lisa Lawler, whose sister’s credit card he stole, expressing relief over the sentencing, stating that her trust in law enforcement has been permanently damaged.
In August, Borissov allegedly violated his bail conditions by attempting to leave Canada using a fraudulent passport, leading to his re-arrest. He remains in custody and faces further police disciplinary actions, likely resulting in the loss of his position.
