Cop who arrested, released McArthur to have disciplinary hearing in October

TORONTO — A Toronto police officer facing disciplinary charges related to the 2016 arrest and release of serial killer Bruce McArthur will have his case heard in October.

Sgt. Paul Gauthier has yet to appear before the police tribunal due to an undisclosed illness.

But the tribunal agreed to detail the allegations against him today, citing public interest in the case.

Gauthier is charged with insubordination and neglect of duty related to his handling of a complaint by a man who alleged McArthur tried to strangle him.

The notice of hearing alleges Gauthier failed to record a video statement from the complainant and to photograph his injuries within 72 hours, as required by the force’s policy on domestic violence investigations.

The officer’s lawyer, Lawrence Gridin, has previously said his client did nothing wrong and did not hamper the investigation into McArthur’s crimes.

Gridin has also requested that the disciplinary hearing be heard by a judge rather than a high-ranking police officer. The tribunal said Tuesday that no decision has been made on that issue at this point.

The hearing is scheduled to begin Oct. 21 and last five days, though the prosecution said more dates could be added if necessary.

McArthur pleaded guilty earlier this year to eight counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of men with ties to Toronto’s gay village.

He was arrested in January 2018 and shortly afterwards, the force’s professional standards unit launched an internal investigation related to the case.

The Canadian Press