Hearing underway for Guelph Police officer Const. Corey McArthur
A hearing is underway for Guelph Police officer Corey Mcarthur, who is appealing a decision that he must resign or be fired from the force.
The virtual hearing on Tuesday morning, is held by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).
McArthur’s lawyer is arguing he shouldn’t be fired but demoted instead.
HISTORY OF MCARTHUR’S CASE
In September 2016, McArthur struck a 17-year-old who was handcuffed to a bed at Guelph General Hospital. The teen, who had been using crystal meth, was threatening to harm himself. McArthur elbowed the boy after being kneed.
The incident was reported after the hospital reviewed security video.
He was initially charged with assault causing bodily harm but later pled guilty to a lesser charge.
In 2018, McArthur was sentenced, given a conditional discharge, maximum probation of 3 years and 240 hours of community service.
McArthur has been suspended with pay since 2016, making over $100,000 per year most years, according to the Ontario Sunshine List.
In the fall of 2022, six years after the assault, a disciplinary hearing found that McArthur had seven days to resign from his position or he would be fired.
Days later, McArthur filed a notice of appeal at the end of October, with the OCPC.
MCARTHUR’S HEARING
McArthur’s appeal stated that the police board hearing officer, Terence Kelly, made numerous mistakes in his sentencing, resulting in a penalty that was "harsh and excessive in the circumstances of this case.”
Council for McArthur on Tuesday called it “a fundamentally unfair penalty decision,” and added that: “the penalty decision makes no allowance for and fails to consider the real and graphic effects of PTSD as it was lived and experienced by Corey McArthur.”
Adding that McArthur is currently on a "successful and sustainable recovery" from PTSD and should therefore be allowed to keep a job with the police service.
His council also argued that a 2014 incident involving McArthur when was admitted in the proceeding was “a critical error.”
LAWYERS FOR GUELPH POLICE
On the other side, lawyers for the Guelph Police Service argued that McArthur should no longer be employed by them.
"The damage to the service in this case was very extensive," they said.
Lawyers admitted that the original employment hearing wasn’t perfect.
“You may well find that there are imperfections,” lawyers said.
But added: “I urge you to boil this matter down to its most basic facts. A police officer who [was] mistrusted with protecting the public, and particularly its most vulnerable members, has now twice been convicted of criminal assault in situations where he was deemed to have been reactive, aggressive, easy to anger and he abused his authority and the public trust.”
Citing case law, they argued: "Dismissal is well within the range of reasonable outcomes."
A decision on whether McArthur’s termination from the force stands was not handed down Tuesday and it's unclear when a decision will be made.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
BREAKING Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Mourners begin days of funerals for Iran's president and others killed in helicopter crash
Mourners in black began gathering Tuesday for days of funerals and processions for Iran's late president, foreign minister and others killed in a helicopter crash.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.