Police Accountability Files – Episode 20: Guelph, OntarioOfficer on Paid Leave Since 2016

How can apolice disciplinary case stretch across nearly a decade—and howmuch does it cost taxpayers?

In Episode20 of Police Accountability Files, host Special Ed examinesthe case of Guelph Police Constable Corey McArthur, whosedisciplinary proceedings began after he elbowed a handcuffed17-year-old boy at a hospital in September 2016. McArthur pleadedguilty to criminal assault and discreditable conduct, and theincident led to years of hearings and appeals.

In July2026, a second disciplinary hearing ordered McArthur to resign orface dismissal. He appealed that decision, continuing a case that hasraised serious questions about police accountability, public trust,and the cost of lengthy disciplinary proceedings.

Thisepisode explores:

When an officer admits tomisconduct, how long should it take for the system to reach a finaldecision—and who should be accountable for the cost?

Join Special Ed for an in-depth lookat a case that raises difficult questions about police discipline,procedural fairness, public money, and confidence in law enforcement.

Police Accountability Files —Real cases. Public questions. Police accountability.

Episode 18 Description — Officers Leaving Jobs While UnderInvestigation

In Episode 18 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines what happens whenpolice officers resign or retire while facing a misconductinvestigation.

The episode focuses on reporting that88 officers with the Edmonton Police Service and CalgaryPolice Service left their positions while under investigation between2012 and 2023. It explores what that number does—and doesnot—tell us, the difference between an allegation and a finding ofmisconduct, and the challenges that can arise when an officer leavesbefore a disciplinary process is completed.

The episode also looks at Alberta'spolice oversight system, the role of independent investigations,officers' procedural rights, complainants' rights, and the ongoingquestion of whether an investigation should continue even after anofficer leaves the job.

When an officer leaves, doesaccountability leave with them?

Real incidents. Realquestions. Real accountability.

Episode 17 Description — Police Officers: Not in the Top 10Most Dangerous Jobs in Canada

In Episode 17 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the claim thatpolice officers have one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada.

This episode focuses specifically onCanadian data, looking at what Statistics Canadareports about Canada's police workforce and examining howoccupational danger should be measured. In 2023, Canada had 71,472police officers, including 7,977 in Alberta,according to Statistics Canada.

The episode also explores animportant question: Do Canadian statistics actually supportthe claim that policing is among Canada's ten most dangerousoccupations? Rather than relying on slogans or assumptions,the episode looks at fatal workplace injuries, occupational risk,police-related dangers, and the limitations of comparing differentoccupations.

Canadian data. Realquestions. Police accountability.

Episode 16 Description — The Alberta Provincial Police1917–1932

In Episode 16 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed takes a look at theforgotten history of the Alberta Provincial Police,the force that policed Alberta from 1917 to 1932.

The episode explores the APP'screation, prohibition enforcement, battles with bootleggers,corruption allegations, labour disputes, the death of ConstableStephen Lawson, and the force's eventual end during the GreatDepression.

It also examines what the APP'shistory can teach us about police independence, governmentcontrol, corruption, public trust, and accountability—andwhy Alberta's first provincial police force remains relevant totoday's debate over policing in the province.

Real history. Real questions.Real accountability.

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Episode 15 Description — The RCMP and the Freedom Convoy

In Episode 15 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the RCMP’s roleduring the 2022 Freedom Convoy, one of the mostcontroversial public-order events in recent Canadian history.

This episode explores the protests inOttawa, the border blockades at Coutts and Windsor, RCMP intelligenceoperations, police coordination, the seizure of firearms at Coutts,and the federal government’s decision to invoke the EmergenciesAct.

We also examine the findings of thePublic Order Emergency Commission and the RCMP’s own after-actionreview, asking difficult questions about police powers, protestrights, intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, andaccountability.

Who was responsible forwhat—and what lessons should Canada learn from the Freedom Convoy?

Real events. Difficultquestions. Police accountability.

Episode 14 Description — The Kelly Canadian Use-of-ForceIncident

In Episode 14 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the controversialKelly Canadian use-of-force incident involving theRCMP in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.

The episode explores the surveillancefootage, conflicting accounts from Canadian and police officers,Canadian’s injuries, his acquittal on five counts of assaultingpeace officers, and questions raised about whether the force usedagainst him was reasonable and necessary.

We also examine expert criticism ofthe officers’ actions and the broader question of how policeconduct is investigated when someone is injured while in custody.

When does legitimate policeforce become excessive force—and who holds officers accountablewhen it does?

Real incident. Realquestions. Real accountability.

In this episode of Police Accountability Files, wetake a hard look at the controversial history of the Royal CanadianMounted Police—from the creation of the North-West Mounted Policein 1873 to the modern RCMP.

We examinethe Force’s role in enforcing government policies toward Indigenouspeoples, residential schools, the forced relocation of Inuitfamilies, and other difficult chapters in Canadian history. Theepisode also looks at the RCMP’s evolving role, its apologies, andits ongoing efforts toward reconciliation.

The RCMPitself acknowledges that its history with Indigenous communities hasbeen “long” and “sometimes difficult,” while alsohighlighting the changes and reconciliation efforts undertaken inrecent decades.

Thisepisode asks: How much of the past should shape our view oftoday's RCMP—and what does true police accountability require?

Realhistory. Difficult questions. Police accountability.