A video showing a Vancouver cop knocking a disabled woman to the ground in the city's impoverished downtown eastside has sparked outrage, prompting the Vancouver Police Department to launch an investigation and issue an apology.
The video, posted by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) shows three cops walking by the crowded United We Can recycling centre on Vancouver's Hastings Street.
A woman with cerebral palsy crosses their paths and brushes one of the officers, who then pushes her, causing her topple to the pavement.
A bystander rushes to her aid, and the three officers stand over the pair briefly before walking away, leaving the woman on the sidewalk.
“The images on this video simply do not square with what Canadians expect of members of our law enforcement community. Scenes like this demonstrate the need for constant efforts on the part of both the leadership of the police department and every member of the force to remind themselves that their mission is to serve,” said Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA, in a statement.
There is no dialogue in the video, so it's impossible to say what prompted the push. But the woman, Sandy, says she didn't do a thing.
"I was walking home and I reached my hand up because I was trying to get through … but the tall guy pushed me down because they thought I was grabbing their gun because I touched the belt," Sandy told CBC.
Cerebral palsy affects people's muscles and motor functions, causing spasms and involuntary movements. Sandy said she asked the officers to let her get through.
"I asked them, 'Excuse me, please,' and I told them three times [that] I have a disability … and [after I fell] they walked away like nothing happened."
The Vancouver Police Department has issued an apology, and the cop who pushed Sandy apologized personally to her and is writing an apology letter, set to be delivered to her home by June 28
“The officer involved has also apologized to the woman, expressing regret for his initial action and for not helping her in the aftermath,” reads a police statement.
The VDP maintain the cop reported the incident the same day it happened. The VDP's Professional Standards Section is investigating.
“While the Department respects the investigative process that is underway and would not wish to say or do anything that would taint that investigation, we must acknowledge that the video will cause concern for many who view it," reads the police statement.
"The VPD takes its responsibility for the safety of the residents of the Downtown Eastside very seriously. If this incident has in any way caused the public to be concerned about our commitment to helping and serving the people of the Downtown Eastside, we are deeply sorry. We are committed to a full and thorough investigation and will take appropriate steps at its conclusion.”
Sad to see but the lady whom was pushed said the officer thought she was grabbing for his gun as she brushed his belt. I know it sucks but IMO, its the first instinct for officers when they think their is an attempt for their gun.
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While i certainly do not condone such actions (and i think the cop should have stayed and helped), if the cop feels like someone is going for their gun they are trained to react.
They have apologized and this incident will have other officers be a little more careful.
I do not think we should have any Outrage over the incident.
I can't believe some of you are buying that crap! Thought this woman who is clearly disabled was going for his gun? B.S! The cop was being a dick and he got caught so he had to say something.
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If the cop thought she was going for his gun then I'd probably do the same thing. That's what they're trained to do.
I mean, if she had been going for his gun and he didn't react then the cops would have a much bigger problem on their hands.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
I can't believe some of you are buying that crap! Thought this woman who is clearly disabled was going for his gun? B.S! The cop was being a dick and he got caught so he had to say something.
And what if she was? Would you rather a poor old crippled lady get pushed to the ground or have someone suffering from INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE SPASMS wielding a firearm in the middle of downtown Vancouver? The cop apologized, he was only doing his job.
Ok, even if he thought she was going for his gun and he pushed her down, you would assume that they would pretty quickly realize this woman was just disabled. Why did none of the 3 cops attempt to help her up afterwards?
I know they are in the middle of bumtown and are probably faced with a lot of seedy situations, but you'd like to think police officer are better than this.
Last edited by Table 5; 07-24-2010 at 12:11 PM.
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Ok, even if he thought she was going for his gun and he pushed her down, you would assume that theys would pretty quickly realize this woman was just disabled. Why did none of the 3 cops attempt to help her up afterwards?
Exactly, I don't really have a problem with him pushing her down. Maybe she caught him off guard or something, I can buy that. But to leave her laying on the sidewalk afterwards is disgraceful. It left the three of them looking like a bunch of bullies.
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If the cop thought she was going for his gun then I'd probably do the same thing. That's what they're trained to do.
I mean, if she had been going for his gun and he didn't react then the cops would have a much bigger problem on their hands.
And what if she was? Would you rather a poor old crippled lady get pushed to the ground or have someone suffering from INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE SPASMS wielding a firearm in the middle of downtown Vancouver? The cop apologized, he was only doing his job.
The Cop clearly saw she was disabled or had some type of problem when she was walking towards them, yet he stayed in her walking path. When she got close to the cop she tried to go around him, and got pushed down.
She was clearly not going for any gun.
Last edited by Beerfest; 07-24-2010 at 12:15 PM.
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Exactly, I don't really have a problem with him pushing her down. Maybe she caught him off guard or something, I can buy that. But to leave her laying on the sidewalk afterwards is disgraceful. It left the three of them looking like a bunch of bullies.
Caught him off guard?
She was clearly walking towards him for a while.
The cop should of moved out of the way for her, yet she had to attempt to do it when they got close together.
Seems kind of inconclusive based on the camera angle; however, is this the new cop excuse du jour whenever there is alleged misconduct?
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Caught him off guard?
She was clearly walking towards him for a while.
The cop should of moved out of the way for her, yet she had to attempt to do it when they got close together.
I can't see his or her face to tell where they were looking so it's hard to say he wasn't distracted by something else before they ran into each other. So he also may not have realized right away that she was disabled and his first instinct would be to seperate himself from her. So like I said, I can buy that kind of story but don't see how he could just leave her there on the ground after realizing his mistake.
Can't believe people are defending a piece of sh** human being just because he is a cop. Why are people always defending police officers when they act like common thugs. Boggles my mind.
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Can't believe people are defending a piece of sh** human being just because he is a cop. Why are people always defending police officers when they act like common thugs. Boggles my mind.
I agree.
You can see the cops walking side by side, taking up the majority of the sidewalk. Their reaction after the collision was pathetic.
Whenever cops do something stupid, it always comes down to "they tried to assault me" or "they were going for my gun"......
These public servants need to be punished more severely than having to write an apology letter. Suspend that loser for a month without pay.
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That's what I was thinking. Try walking down that street without feeling super on edge/paranoid.
Cop gets a pass here.
I walk down that street often and I do not feel this way. When I do this, I am also not often with my other cop buddies, in full gear and clearly identifiable.
This is just another disgusting example of the way law enforcement carry themselves in this city.
This is just another disgusting example of the way law enforcement carry themselves in this city.
Be grateful he didn't shine a laser pointer in her eyes.
__________________ “The fact is that censorship always defeats it's own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion.”
If the cop thought she was going for his gun then I'd probably do the same thing. That's what they're trained to do.
I mean, if she had been going for his gun and he didn't react then the cops would have a much bigger problem on their hands.
And what if she was? Would you rather a poor old crippled lady get pushed to the ground or have someone suffering from INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE SPASMS wielding a firearm in the middle of downtown Vancouver? The cop apologized, he was only doing his job.
Ok I'll ask you, why was she allowed to walk off uncharged if the cop truly thought she was going for his gun?
There is no way the cop actually thought she was going for the gun. I visited Vancouver during a huge gay parade [insert jokes here] and a big fireworks show. Cops had all the streets closed off and I have never felt so disrespected. It honestly felt like I was in another country, and not Canada where I have never had my freedoms limited. It definitely is just a Vancouver thing because Calgary cops handled the Red Mile with such class. They could learn quite a few things from the Calgary police.
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Cop caught on camera pushing a disabled women
