Transparent Investigations Team

Our Commitment

Transparent Investigations was founded with the purpose to alleviate surrounding perceived negative bias with investigations pertaining to workplace and criminal cases. The founders of the company each have an extensive background in investigations, leadership roles and compassionate

understanding. The concept of Transparent Investigations allows for employers as well as unions and employee groups, to have a balanced and effective approach to an investigation. Our commitment ensures that the investigation leads to a report that all parties believe to be non-bias in its summary and recommendations.

Our Founders

The founders of Transparent Investigations are Ian Johnstone, Legal Counsel to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and former Peel Regional Police Officer, Bruce Chapman. Ian has acted in his role for over 25 years, while Bruce spent the past six years of his career as the President of the Police Association of Ontario and served with Peel Regional Police in several units

for over 30 years prior. Ian and Bruce collectively have undertaken hundreds of criminal and workplace investigations and have been extensively involved in workplace litigation. As a result, Transparent Investigations was founded on the premise of complete transparent investigations in workplace and criminal cases. Ian Johnstone acted on behalf of Police Management and Bruce

Chapman acted on behalf of Police Unions. Together, Ian and Bruce have opted to create a company that will often dispense with ongoing litigation, provide a complete and thorough investigation and report with recommendations for each party involved, ensuring non-bias.

Our Investigators

Ian B. Johnstone, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ian served as a police officer with the Peel Regional Police. He holds a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice (summa cum laude) and attended the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law where he received the law school awards for both labour and employment law. He also attended the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law and completed his Master of Laws. He has acted for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police for over 25 years and has assisted in countless workplace investigations. Ian has undertaken investigations for police services, unions, municipalities, private sector companies. Ian is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, as well as the Law Society of New Brunswick.

Bruce Chapman, O.O.M.

Bruce Chapman O.O.M. is the former President of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), which he held from 2015-2021 prior to retiring from the policing profession. Bruce has 34 years of service with the Peel Regional Police Service, growing his career to the rank of Detective Sergeant. During his years of policing, he focused on numerous areas of the service including uniform, criminal investigations, major crime, drugs, fraud, homicide as well as the officer in charge of robbery, and forensics.

David Cowling, B.A., LL.B.

David has over 25 years’ experience appearing as counsel for management in arbitration hearings, Labour Relations Board hearings, Court proceedings involving judicial reviews and labour injunctions, as a prosecutor under the Police Services Act, and as Counsel to Administrative Tribunals as well as matters involving property assessment.

Allison Johnstone, B.A., J.D., LL.M.

Allison practices in all areas of labour and employment law and has particular experience in police disciplinary cases and human rights law. Allison appears as a Prosecutor under the Police Services Act, as well as at arbitration hearings and before the Human Rights Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, as well as the Ontario Civilian Police Commission. Allison holds a Master of Laws from Cornell Law School where she focused on Human Rights. As a workplace investigator, Allison has conducted numerous investigations in a variety of sectors including police services, crown corporations, and private companies.