Vancouver police officers criminally charged over violent takedown that victim says was racially motivated

Two Vancouver police officers have beencharged with assault and assault with a weapon for the 2018arrest of a Black man in downtown Vancouver.

The man arrested in 2018, Jamiel Moore-Williams, told CBC News in the summer of 2020 he felt the officers had targeted him because of his race. On Tuesday, he said he was hopeful the charges would lead to positive changes within the VPD.

Const. Jarrod Sidhu has been charged with one count of assault with a weapon and Const. Jagpreet Ghuman with one count of assault, in connection with the arrest of Moore-Williams in downtown Vancouver in February2018, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.

A VPD spokesperson said both are still on active duty.

The arrest wasfor an allegedjaywalking violation and was recorded on a cellphone video.

WATCH |Jamiel Moore-Williams is arrested in downtown Vancouver in February 2018:

Jaywalking Arrest Feb. 18, 2018

4 years ago

Duration 1:14

Cellphone video shows Jamiel Moore-Williams being physically detained by police, after he allegedly jaywalked in the Granville Entertainment District.

In a lawsuit against the City of Vancouver,Moore-Williams alleged officers forced him to the ground,kickingand hitting him in the head and body and then Taseringhim seven to 14 times.

Police issued him a ticket for jaywalkingand obstruction of justice charges that havesince been stayed.

'You feel they're untouchable'

Moore-Williams, reached Tuesday, expressed both joy at the charges and surprise.

"Because of the past, you just feel like nothing can happen to the police. You feel they're untouchable," Moore-Williams said.

"I feel this is going to be a change that should be the norm. Let's just cross our fingers and hope that good comes about."

WATCH | Jamiel Moore-Williams discusses his feelings after VPD officers charged inhis 2018 arrest:

Alleged victim says charges against Vancouver police officers 'a great sign'

4 years ago

Duration 0:38

Jamiel Moore-Williams, who was arrested in downtown Vancouver in February 2018, says he was surprised but happy to hear the officers involved in his arrest have been criminally charged.

Moore-Williams said he still hurts every day from the arrest and seeing a police cruiser brings him back to that night.

Hethinks the charges, however, are a sign of positive change.

Moore-Williams' lawyer, Donna Turko, said her client has been"adamant" in following the matter through and making sure Vancouver police look at their policies and training when it comes to systemic racism.

"Particularly, Black men tendto...get pulled over, get arrested, get assaulted in what appears to be a higher percentage," Turko said, adding if Moore-Williams was a "little old white lady," she doubts the arrest would have become violent.

4 officers investigated

Shortly afterwards, the Office of the Police ComplaintCommissioner launchedacriminal investigation against the four officers involved in Moore-Williams' arrest.

On Tuesday the complaint commissioner's office released a statement, saying it had appointed the RCMPto investigate the officers' conduct, but Mountiesdid not refer the matter to prosecutors to consider charges.

The office says it reviewed the RCMPinvestigation and determined that "one or more officers may have committed criminal offences"and, in February of this year, referred the matter directly to the B.C. Prosecution Service.

"We came to a different conclusion," Deputy complaint commissioner Andrea Spindler said. "We felt that the conduct of those officers did warrant criminal charges."

Spindler said adisciplinary-conduct investigation under thePolice Actwill take place but is suspended untilthe criminal proceedings are complete.

Sidhu and Ghuman's first court appearances are scheduled for Jan. 14.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.