Following unsubstantiated allegations by representatives of the Vancouver Police Department
that a man beaten by VPD officers in a case of mistaken identity had “resisted,” and then a
retraction of those comments the next day, the BCCLA called for the investigation of the matter to be undertaken by an independent police department.

“There is clearly a great amount of confusion about this very troubling case, and a conflict
between the VPD’s interest in protecting its officers and investigating the matter thoroughly,” said Jason Gratl, Vice-President of the BCCLA. “The most appropriate course of action now is for the VPD to move the investigation outside of their own department and ask an external force to take over.”

VPD spokesperson Jana McGuinness stated yesterday that the man, who was not involved in any crime and was mistaken for someone else by police, “resisted by striking out at the police and trying to slam the door.”

Today, VPD Chief Jim Chu stepped back from those allegations, saying, “I want to make it perfectly clear this morning that we do not stand by that statement.”

“We are glad the VPD realized the error of pronouncing on what happened before the investigation had even commenced, as this is an issue we’ve raised with them in the past,”
said Gratl. “With that said, the public needs to have confidence that this very troubling matter will be thoroughly investigated by an impartial force, and the VPD stands to lose some face if that initial version of events proves to be incorrect.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jason Gratl, Vice-President, 604-317-1919
David Eby, Executive Director, 778-865-7997