Cross-examination of forensic psychiatrist continues at Guelph police officer’s disciplinary hearing

A forensic psychiatrist was once again cross-examined about PTSD at the disciplinary hearing of Const. Corey McArthur. CTV’s Jeff Pickel has the latest.

Warning: This story includes details which some may find disturbing.

A forensic psychiatrist was once again on the stand as the disciplinary hearing for a Guelph Police Service officer continued.

Constable Corey McArthur has been fighting to keep his job following an assault in September 2016.

McArthur was responding to a teen in distress at Guelph General Hospital. Surveillance video showed the teen, who was handcuffed to a gurney at the time, knee the officer before McArthur retaliated with an elbow strike. The hit either caused or aggravated an existing injury, leaving the teen with a 3.5 cm cut under his eye, as well as bruising and swelling.

McArthur pleaded guilty to an assault charge in September 2018. He was given a conditional discharge with three years maximum probation and 240 hours of community service. McArthur blamed his actions on undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) stemming from the death of his colleague, Const. Jennifer Kovach, in 2013. She was killed when her police vehicle collided with a bus while responding to a call for help from McArthur.

In October 2022, a police services hearing was held to determine if McArthur should be reprimanded or dismissed from the Guelph Police Service. McArthur was told he must resign from the force within seven days or risk being fired. However, he successfully appealed the decision, arguing he should be demoted instead of dismissed.

McArthur pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct for a second time in July 2024, triggering another penalty hearing.

• TIMELINE: Corey McArthur’s troubled past with the Guelph Police Service

On Monday, Dr. Peter Collins, a forensic psychiatrist who has reviewed McArthur’s records, but was not allowed to assess the constable personally, faced a third day of cross-examination.

Madeline Ross, McArthur’s lawyer, questioned a report by Collins which stated McArthur’s PTSD did not lead to the assault at the hospital.

“I have never disputed the diagnosis with PTSD,” Collins said. “What I have disputed is the actions in the Guelph hospital room were caused by PTSD.”

Ross noted what was not included in the report.

“You did not analyze how unresolved grief impacted McArthur’s actions?” she asked.

Collins refuted any assertion that McArthur’s actions were related to grief.

“I don’t see grief being the link in that particular event,” Collins stated.

Ross also brought up what she called her client’s protective nature and desire to protect his female colleagues. McArthur’s lawyer argued there is a connection between the death of Const. Kovach and the 2016 incident.

Collins repeated that McArthur’s actions, to him, did not appear to be an act of protection.

“There was no threat,” Collins explained. “There was a person who needed to be repositioned on a gurney… I don’t see this as a trauma response. This was an angry response.”

McArthur’s hearing is set to continue on Tuesday.