2 Toronto police officers charged with misconduct in Tess Richey homicide case

Two Toronto police officers have been charged with misconduct after a police investigation alleged that the pair failed to search thoroughly for homicide victim Tess Richey.

Const. AlanMcCulloughandConst. Michael Jones, both with 51 Division, are charged with two counts of misconduct for neglect of duty under Ontario'sPolice Services Act, according to a notice of hearing.

Richey, 22, was reported missing last November in the area of Yongeand Wellesley streets.

She was found dead by her mother,Christine Hermeston,40 metres from the place where the two officers had been called three days earlier, the notice says.

KalenSchlatter, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in Richey's death.

Officers 'failed' to inform supervisor of all details

"We're thankful and appreciative of the diligent work the homicidedetectives have done to help bring justice to my daughter, Tess," Hermestonwrote in a statement on Tuesday.

"Ihave to praise the chief for keeping his word and upholding policestandards. Please respect our privacy as we continue to mourn for ourloss," she wrote.

Richeywas last seen about 3 a.m. ET on Nov. 25, 2017, after a night out with a high school friend at Crews and Tangos, a nightclub on Church Street. She was reported missing by a family member later that day.

Both officers had received a radio call at 3:45 p.m. the next day,to check anaddress in relation to the Richeymissing persons case.

When the officerswent to the scene, theyfound out that the spot was the "last known location" where Richey had been seen.

"You did not search the adjoining property or immediate area thoroughly," the noticereads.

"You did not conduct a canvass of neighbours. You failed to notify a supervisory officer of all of the particulars."

Reacting to the news Tuesday,Toronto Police Association presidentMike McCormack told CBC News he was surprised that the two officers were before the tribunal, saying each has been with the force for more than 15 years and each is "very professional" and "responsible."

"We don't think it's warranted that theseofficers are beforethe tribunal. They did their jobs by the policies and procedures and we think that's what needs to be changed." McCormack said he supports a review of how the force handles missing persons cases, but that the officers shouldn't be penalized for following existing protocol.

Body found at bottom of stairwell

Hermestonand a family friend foundRichey's bodylying at the bottom of an outdoor stairwell, outside a building undergoing renovation,at 582 Church St. on Nov. 29, 2017.

The spot, near Dundonald Street,is northeast from wherethe police were called.

She was doors away from where she had last been seen.

Hermeston drove aboutfour hours to get to Toronto from North Bay, Ont., to search for her daughter.

Richey's cause of death was determined to be neck compression, or strangulation, and the death was ruled a homicide.

Man charged with 1st-degree murder

Schlatter was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the charge was upgraded after police said "new evidence" presented itself.

Police believe Schlatter and Richey did not know each other before the night of her death.

On Dec. 19, 2017, police released video images of a man who wasallegedlyseen with Richeyduring her final hours.

On Feb. 4,Schlatterwas arrested near his home in the west end and charged in the death.

Police were criticizedfor their failure to find Richey in the days after her disappearance.

Her death, along with several other disappearances connected to the Gay Village, led community members to say police were notprotecting them.