CBSA defends itself after man’s death in Windsor

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it followed all internal protocols at the Ambassador Bridge when it arrested Colin Grey, a 63-year-old man last November who died hours later outside the headquarters from Windsor Police.

On Nov. 29, Windsor resident Colin Gray was detained for hours because border agents thought he was drunk, according to his family.

His son, Christian Grey, who accompanied him, explains that these symptoms were linked to type 2 diabetes from which his father suffered.

He said Colin Gray was too weak to blow hard enough to provide a breath sample. Officers determined it was a refusal, he explains.

Colin Gray was held in police custody for six hours before being released.

Moments after his release, the Windsor Police Service said he fell into medical distress outside police headquarters and later died.

Family demands answers

The family immediately hired a lawyer to shed light on the circumstances of the father’s death.

According to lawyer Joel Dick, the family’s intentions are to seek accountability and ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.

Obviously there was a bad decision that was made that dayhe says.

According to him, the event should have been a routine intervention for the police.

CBSA explains

The Canada Border Services Agency says it reviewed officers’ interactions with Colin Gray and determined that All agency protocols were followed and conducted in accordance with officer training.

These protocols include asking people if they have any health problems, when they had their last meal and checking on them every 15 minutes in a holding cell.

If an agent of theASFC has reason to suspect a medical problem concerning a person, an emergency medical service will be contacted immediately, even if the person denies needing a medical evaluationexplains a spokesperson for theASFC.

As there was no indication of the need for emergency medical services in this case, the individual was appropriately transferred to the Windsor Police Serviceaccording to the spokesperson.

Coroner’s Office examines death

The Provincial Coroner’s Office says it is trying to determine the cause and manner of Colin Grey’s death.

According to the Coroner’s Office, Colin Grey’s death was not does not meet the criteria for a mandatory inquest under the Coroners Act.

However, the family’s lawyer hopes the Ontario coroner will exercise his discretion and order an inquest into Grey’s death, given the police’s involvement.

The family is also waiting to hear Colin Grey’s official cause of death.

With reporting from CBC News’ Jason Viau