Black council seeks 'transparency and accountability' after man dies following release from police custody
Colin Grey of Windsor, Ont., died shortly after being released from police custody on Nov. 29
The Black Council of Windsor-Essex is calling for an investigation following the death of a Black Windsor man who died after being detained for hours by Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) and Windsor police officers.
Colin Grey, 63, died just after being released from police custody on Nov. 29.
According to his family, Grey, a Type 2 diabetic, was exhibiting symptoms officers took for alcohol impairment but that his family says were due to low blood sugar. And, they say, law enforcement was told multiple times over Grey's six hours in custody that he was diabetic and needed help.
"Alongside many members of the local community, we are asking for transparency and accountability regarding Mr. Grey's tragic and unexpected outcome," said the letter, signed by Leslie McCurdy, chair of the Black Council of Windsor Essex, on behalf of the council.
"Without adequate information to the contrary, we are left to presume that racial prejudice and profiling played a role in the discreditable actions of those authorities involved."
Rose Grey, Colin's widow, previously told CBC Windsor that she blames racism for the alleged lack of concern about her husband's condition.
Windsor police declined to answer specific questions about the allegations and whether Grey's death was or would be investigated, instead sending CBC Windsor the same statement it provided when the allegations surfaced earlier this month.
"Following his release from custody, Mr. Grey was observed to be in medical distress near our building," the statement reads.
"Windsor police members attempted life-saving measures, including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and deploying an automated external defibrillator, until care was turned over to Emergency Medical Services."
Police have not yet answered questions about whether Grey received any medical care or assessment prior to being in distress, or whether he was given anything to eat or drink.
When asked about Grey's death earlier this month, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, who is chair of the Windsor Police Services board, did not commit to a review of the interactions Grey had with police and noted the Special Investigations Unit said it did not have jurisdiction. The SIU investigates deaths and injuries where police are involved Ontario.
"At the end of the day I feel extremely sorry for the family, I feel sorry for those who have to deal with the loss especially at this time of the year and I hope they get the answers they need," Dilkens said.
The CBSA previously told CBC News it condemns all forms of discrimination and says officers are trained on preventing racial profiling.
"Treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our border services officers' relationship with the public and a key part of this is serving all travellers in a non-discriminatory way," the agency said.
The letter from the Black council says that "Too often, Black and other racialized citizens are subjected to discrimination and negative stereotyping that endangers our lives."
"We expect that the appropriate authorities will launch the required investigations immediately and respond to us in writing to confirm that they have been initiated."