Seven Vancouver police officers cleared of wrongdoing in Myles Gray death; case under review by complaints commissioner

Seven Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers involved in the 2015 death of Myles Gray have been cleared of misconduct by a police discipline authority, though the case remains under review by the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC).

Gray, 33, died following a violent altercation with police in Burnaby nearly nine years ago. A coroner’s inquest last year classified his death as a homicide, citing multiple injuries and police restraint methods that contributed to cardiopulmonary arrest. The inquest heard Gray suffered neck compression, blunt force trauma, pepper spray exposure, and prolonged restraint in a prone position while handcuffed.

The OPCC said the disciplinary hearing, led by Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, found that no officer had committed misconduct, and allegations of abuse of authority were not proven. However, the commissioner’s office has confirmed it is reviewing the decision and will determine whether to refer the case to a retired judge for further examination.

Gray sustained severe injuries, including ruptured testicles, facial fractures, and broken ribs, during the incident. The original 911 call that prompted police response described an agitated man spraying a woman with water from a garden hose.

The case has drawn significant public concern in British Columbia, with Gray’s family and advocacy groups demanding greater police accountability and transparency in use-of-force investigations.