A Toronto police whistleblower is facing charges after accusing the force of internal coverups of corruption during interviews with the media.

Sgt. Jim Cassells' accusations made headlines in May when he spoke to CBC Radio News and the Toronto Sun.

Sgt. Jim Cassells faces two charges under the Police Services Act after speaking to reporters earlier this year about corruption allegations.
(Dave Seglins/CBC)

Early Wednesday morning, lawyer Leo Kinahan, who represents Cassells, learned that his client will face two charges under the Police Services Act — one count of discreditable conduct and one count of breach of confidence.

"I was hoping it would be handled differently," Kinahan said. "I think it sends a message that it's best to keep your mouth shut and not say anything."

Cassells, a police officer for nearly 30 years and a key investigator on an RCMP-led special task force into the city drug squad, has been vocal about his accusations.

He told reporters that the police brass covered up, refused to investigate and buried cases involving alleged police brutality, public complaints and internal corruption.

His complaints prompted Police Chief Bill Blair to call in a senior York Region police officer to conduct a review.

Blair now has the report, but said he will give it to the Police Services Board to deal with and decide whether to make it public.

Cassells was not available for comment but has said in the past that he would welcome a disciplinary hearing as a way of getting his allegations of coverups on the public record.

He was also charged in April with one count of misconduct after speaking with a Toronto Star reporter.