Surveillance video showing an incident in which a 26-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a veteran Vancouver police officer has been released by the man's lawyer, who says it took too long to lay charges in the incident.
"If it was you or me, we would be charged instantaneously," said Jason Tarnow.
But it took four months for the Crown to announce charges against Sergeant Darcy Taylor - a decision disclosed this week by city police.
The officer, who has 20 years of experience, was charged with assault with a weapon over an incident last Aug. 23 in which Mr. Tarnow's client was hit in the chest with a baton as police responded to a fight call in central Vancouver.
The video, which is washed out with light, shows an officer striking a man, who falls down. Mr. Tarnow said his client is a "soft spoken" professional involved in music production, who has never been in trouble with the law, and was just standing around with two friends when police arrived to a quiet situation.
"He was just standing there, observing," Mr. Tarnow said.
He said his client, whom he declined to name, suffered a sore jaw and throat in the incident, but no other injuries. The man is considering a civil suit, his lawyer said.
The officer is now working on "non-operational" police duties and faces an ongoing Police Act investigation.
Constable Jana McGuinness, a police spokeswoman, declined comment on the lawyer's assertions, noting the case is before the courts.