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

CTV News

24-07-2025

July 24 marks one year since a second penalty hearing got underway for a Guelph Police constable. CTV's Krista Simpson explains where the case stands now.
July 24 marks one year since a second penalty hearing got underway for a Guelph Police constable. CTV's Krista Simpson explains where the case stands now.
Const. Corey McArthur is fighting to stay with the Guelph Police Service following a 2016 incident where he physically assaulted a teen. It was, however, not the first time his professional behaviour was questioned.
2001: Const. Corey McArthur joins the Guelph Police Service.
November 2008: McArthur is charged with assault after he makes an arrest for public intoxication outside a Guelph bar.
2010: A judge finds McArthur guilty of assault. The judge gave McArthur an absolute discharge, which meant the charge would not appear on his criminal record. During the proceedings, he was reassigned to administrative duties with the police service.
At a police service hearing, McArthur pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct. He was reprimanded and required to work 80 hours of additional shifts.
2013: McArthur is accused of using excessive force. The Guelph Police Service launched an investigation and ultimately deemed it an 'unsubstantiated' complaint. Later that year, he was charged with assault causing bodily harm. That charged was later withdrawn.
September 2016: A 17-year-old was acting erratically after using crystal meth and threatened to harm himself. While handcuffed to a bed at Guelph General Hospital, the teen kneed Corey McArthur in his chest or stomach.
In response, McArthur elbowed the teen causing or aggravating an injury. The teen had a 3.5 centimetre cut under his eye, bruising and swelling. The laceration required stitches.
The incident was captured on surveillance video inside the hospital.
October 2016: McArthur goes on leave and receives Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits for two years.
The constable was initially charged with assault causing bodily harm but ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
According to the Ontario Sunshine List, McArthur's salary in 2016 was $101,804.
Sept. 27, 2018: McArthur pleaded guilty to a criminal assault charge. He is given a conditional discharge with three years maximum probation and 240 hours of community service.
The judge agreed that an undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) played a role in McArthur's actions, causing him to overact and use excessive force. In 2013, Guelph Police Const. Jennifer Kovach was killed on the way to McArthur's call for backup. The icy road conditions caused a collision between Kovach's car and a Guelph bus. Another factor in the judge's decision was McArthur's decision to seek treatment during his two-year absence from the police force.
He also noted that there were 'similarities between the 2008 and 2016 incidents. Both involved acts of violence and he was 'amped up' both times.'
Following the sentencing, Guelph Police served McArthur with a notice of suspension pending the outcome of the hearing. As stipulated under the Police Services Act, he was suspended with pay.
2019: McArthur's salary, according to the Ontario Sunshine List, is $106,436.
2020: The Ontario Sunshine List records McArthur's salary as $114,756, an increase of 7.8 per cent from the year before.
2021: McArthur's salary on the Ontario Sunshine List is reported as $110,689. That was a 3.5 per cent decrease from 2020.
October 2022: A police service hearing is held to determine if McArthur will be reprimanded or dismissed from the Guelph Police Service.
Testimony revealed supervisors spoke to McArthur in 2007 about excessive use of force after a 'number' of complaints.
McArthur is told he must resign from the force within seven days or risk being fired.
At this point, he had been suspended with pay since 2016.
November 2022: McArthur files an appeal to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) before the seven-day deadline has elapsed. He argued he should be demoted instead of dismissed. The OCPC can confirm or revoke a decision made during a police service hearing, substitute its own decision or order a new hearing.
McArthur's appeal was successful. The OCPC determined that, among other things, the hearing officer did not give enough consideration to McArthur's PTSD.
Trial costs and Corey McArthur's salary have cost taxpayers at least $644,570 since his suspension in 2016. The total included prosecution and expert fees, facilities and court reporting fees and hearing officer fees.
According to the Ontario Sunshine List, McArthur's salary increased by 5.2 per cent to $116,484.
2023: The Ontario Sunshine List showed McArthur's salary as $115,292.
July 24, 2024: McArthur pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct for a second time and another penalty hearing was held. His lawyer said McArthur had gone through extensive counselling and was able to continue working as a police officer.
McArthur's salary is listed as $115,489 on the Ontario Sunshine List.
July 24, 2025: The second penalty hearing continues. The Guelph Police Service said they are seeking to dismiss McArthur for the 2016 incident at Guelph General Hospital.
He remains suspended with pay.