A former GTA police officer is alleged to have served as an officer who sexually abused minors.

A former Durham Regional Police officer has been charged with “impersonating a police officer” for minor victims, who bought them alcohol before bringing them to a bar and sexually assaulting them, investigators say.

A former officer at the Ontario Police College has been charged with allegedly filming a victim without their knowledge, Toronto police said.

Investigators from the police's Internet Child Exploitation Unit say the suspect used online applications and social media to communicate with youths between March 10 and March 31. During those conversations, police said, the man impersonated a police officer to “gain the victims' trust.”

Police say the man met the victims in person and took them to a bar knowing they were not of legal drinking age. Investigators say he bought the victims alcoholic drinks while at the bar and then sexually assaulted them.

According to Toronto police, the accused used a number of online applications, including OME TV and Snapchat, to contact the victims.

“Members of the Toronto Police Internet Child Exploitation Unit issued a search warrant in connection with the investigation. As a result of the search, several items, including electronic devices, were seized for further examination,” Toronto police said in a press release issued Thursday.

Toronto resident William Knight, 31, was later arrested and charged with 11 counts, including falsely impersonating a peace officer, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault, possession of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, police said. , and making child pornography available.

Toronto police said they were concerned about “the number of victims” and released a photo of the accused, asking the public to come forward and speak with officers from the Internet Child Exploitation Unit if they have more information about the case.

A spokesperson for Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) confirmed to CP24 that the accused was a constable in training at the time of his arrest.

“He has since resigned and is no longer employed by Durham Regional Police,” a spokeswoman said in an email to CP24.