What is the purpose of the public hearing regarding Myles Gray's death?

The hearing examines whether seven Vancouver Police Department officers abused their authority by using unnecessary force leading to Myles Gray's death in August 2015.

Who is presiding over the Myles Gray public hearing?

Retired judge Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey is the adjudicator for the 10-week public hearing into the actions of the VPD officers.

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VPD Officers Face Public Hearing Over Myles Gray Death

Q: Were criminal charges ever recommended in the Myles Gray case?

Yes, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. recommended criminal charges, but the B.C. Prosecution Service decided not to proceed with them.

19 Jan

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Summary

Seven Vancouver officers face a public hearing on alleged excessive force in Myles Gray's 2015 death.
Gray suffered severe injuries, including ruptured testicles and a broken voice box.
Previous investigations recommended charges, but none were laid; a coroner called it homicide.

A significant 10-week public hearing commenced on Monday, focusing on the actions of seven Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers during the August 2015 arrest of Myles Gray, 33. The hearing will scrutinize allegations of excessive and unnecessary force used to subdue Gray, whose extensive injuries included ruptured testicles, a fractured voice box, and a broken eye socket.

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) is overseeing this extensive inquiry, which is notable for its large number of officers involved, extensive evidence volume, and duration. Retired judge Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey will preside, hearing testimony from over 30 witnesses to determine if police misconduct occurred and to recommend disciplinary actions.

This public hearing follows several previous investigations. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. recommended criminal charges, but the B.C. Prosecution Service declined to lay them in December 2020. A 2023 coroner's inquest jury classified Gray's death as a homicide, and a separate discipline proceeding noted discrepancies in officers' statements, despite not finding intentional misuse of force.