A recent incident involving an offensive remark has put the ongoing public hearing on the alleged misconduct of seven Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers in the 2015 death of Myles Gray at risk. During discussions on police radio broadcasts, a microphone in the hearing room at UBC Robson Square captured the use of an obscenity. Following a brief delay, the hearing resumed with public hearing counsel Brad Hickford announcing his withdrawal due to the inadvertent utterance of the offensive term. Hickford, upon reviewing the recording, acknowledged the possibility of unintentionally making the remark.
Despite the setback, adjudicator Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey emphasized the importance of not further delaying the hearing, which could result in a significant postponement of six to 12 months. Arnold-Bailey highlighted the critical role played by Hickford in the gathering of witnesses and evidence for the hearing, urging all parties to prioritize the proceedings over the incident of the offensive language. The adjudicator expressed doubts about the identity of the individual who made the remark and stressed the need to focus on the primary objective of the hearing.
The Law Society of B.C. has initiated an investigation into the matter, while Hickford has expressed readiness to return if feasible. Technical glitches also disrupted the hearing, with Arnold-Bailey humorously referring to technology as “unreliable.” The hearing was adjourned temporarily for consultations between lawyers representing the police officers involved.
In response to the incident, Hickford’s lawyer clarified that the remark was not directed at any specific individual based on gender and attributed it to a momentary lapse of judgment. The lawyer also emphasized that the term in question is not always used in a misogynistic context. Lawyers for the VPD officers requested additional time to confer with their clients, while Ian Donaldson, representing the Gray family, underscored the importance of focusing on the investigation into Gray’s death rather than the offensive language episode.
Donaldson highlighted the family’s patience over the years due to delays, emphasizing that the pursuit of justice outweighs any temporary setbacks. The public interest in uncovering the truth behind Gray’s death was emphasized, with a call to prioritize the investigation above the disruptive incident.