On December 27, 2012 the Guelph Police Service was assigned the investigation of a public complaint filed through the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (O.I.P.R.D.). That complaint identified a Guelph Police Constable as the respondent officer in an allegation of unnecessary use of authority, excessive force during an arrest made in Guelph on December 6, 2012.
That Public complaint was investigated by the Professional Standards Branch of the GPS and the complaint was concluded as unsubstantiated. The finding and the investigative report was filed as required with the O.I.P.R.D. The complainant in the matter was also provided with a decision letter and copy of the investigative report as required. The process allowed for the complainant to request a review of the findings by the O.I.P.R.D on the investigative decision within thirty days of the decision letter. A request for review was not submitted by the complainant and the matter was closed by the O.I.P.R.D.
On Tuesday October, 1 2013, as a result of the laying of a private information by the previously mentioned complainant a criminal summons to a person charged with an offence was issued by a Justice of the Peace in Guelph Court, charging the respondent officer in the original public complaint with assault causing bodily harm contrary to the C.C.C. Section 267(B). The summons directs the officer to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, 36 Wyndham St. S. courtroom two on November 15, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The officer in the matter is identified as Constable C. McArthur, a 12 year member of the GPS. Cst. McArthur remains on active duty.
The Guelph Police Service will cooperate throughout this matter and no further comments on the allegation will be made in order to maintain the integrity of the process now before the courts.
Further the Guelph Police will respect the privacy of the complainant in this matter and as such will not identify that person at this time.