The lead detective at the centre of the largest police corruption scandal in Canadian history has officially retired from the Toronto Police Service.

John Schertzer and several colleagues await trial in January on charges of conspiring to beat and rob suspects of tens of thousands of dollars during their days on the drug squad. Although he is facing trial next year and the possibility of a criminal conviction which could have affected his benefits, he's opting for a lump-sum cash payout now.

Schertzer has been suspended for most of the past seven years but has still collected full pay and earned time toward his pension. He had to report to a police station twice a day in order to keep his salary and pension benefits. 

But Schertzer turns 50 next month and, with 32 years of service, has decided to retire effective Nov. 1. 

He is eligible for a full police pension. In lieu of a monthly payment, he has opted to take the value in a lump-sum payment. 

Senior police sources have told CBC News that by taking all of his pension contributions, which have been matched by the service under the union contract even during his years under suspension, he'll collect more than $1 million.

The Toronto Police Service and Crown prosecutors have spent almost a decade investigating the allegations against Schertzer and his colleagues.

The force spent millions on a special anti-corruption task force and for the past three and a half years the prosecution has been chugging its way through the courts, with a trial scheduled for January.

Schertzer and his co-accused are arguing all the delays have violated their right to a timely trial and that the entire case should be tossed out. They've always maintained their innocence.

Schertzer also has an outstanding multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Toronto force. He claims he's been the victim of a malicious witch hunt.