TORONTO – A disciplinary hearing for a Toronto police officer involved in the 2016 arrest and release of serial killer Bruce McArthur has been postponed indefinitely.
Sgt. Paul Gauthier was set to face disciplinary charges before a police tribunal in October but the tribunal now says too many issues still need to be resolved before the case can be heard.
Among them is whether Gauthier, who has yet to appear before the tribunal due to an undisclosed illness, will be able to participate in the proceedings.
A new hearing date has not been set but the matter is slated to return to the tribunal for an update on Oct. 21.
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.
A notice of hearing released earlier this year alleges Gauthier did not record a video statement from the complainant or photograph his injuries within 72 hours – two steps required by the force’s policy on domestic violence investigations.
Gauthier’s lawyer has previously said the officer did nothing wrong and did not hinder the investigation into McArthur’s crimes.
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. The force’s professional standards unit launched an internal investigation related to the case shortly after the arrest.
WATCH: Toronto cop facing charges in connection to Bruce McArthur case says he’s a ‘scapegoat’ (Feb 6, 2019)