Toronto Police Chief says they took serial killer rumours seriously

Toronto police chief Mark Saunders is defending the force's investigation into a self-employed landscaper now facing five counts of first-degree murder.

Saunders tells CP24 that police investigating the disappearances of men from Toronto's gay village area did not dismiss any possibilities.

Some members of the public have said they don't feel police took their concerns about a possible serial killer operating in the area seriously but Saunders says details of the investigation will come out in court during the trial for 66-year-old Bruce McArthur.

He adds he's proud of the fact that people from the gay village helped out in the investigation -- although he acknowledges there are opportunities for the force to improve its relationship with the L-G-B-T-Q community.