Canadian cop filmed punching cyclist faces investigation +video

Vikeonabike 8 minutes ago

Firstly, for a red light/no lights offence a ticket would have been written. So What did he do to get himself arrested? Behaviour? Refused details? He admits to using language he wouldn't use on TV! He could have accepted the ticket and been on his way. If he did not agree with the ticket he could have requested a court appearance. The "Victim" was clearly not "IN" cuffs, he had one arm free. He resisted! A "distraction" strike was used to affect arrest, it would have looked better had it been a slap rather than a punch. You only see the end of the film and not the altercation from beginning to end!That makes a big difference! The officer did not do anything wrong in my humble opinion! Had I been in his position I feel comfortable I could have justified my action!

The worst part of this is that you write 'CTV News in the USA'. It's Canadian. Don't think the young chap quite deserves the reprimand he received, still, red light jumpers, they ruin it for all of us.

So the cop knows he's being filmed and still punches the guy? He should be sacked for being a moron.

And the cyclist is a moron for jumping a red light, because in breaking the law he's saying it's OK for others to break the law.

Criminal assault by a police officer while another police officer stands by. What a surprise.

Gee, i bet you two would be singing a different tune if it was you.

Completely over the top reaction, the police uphold the law, not break it.

all this fuss over a wee smack in the chops. Obviously never had (or seen) a proper beating from the Police or anyone else.

So let me see this IDIOT is cycling through an urban area late at night with no lights on runs a red light then mouths off to the rozzer, [Akhavan told CTV News in the USA:] “I asked is there better things to be doing than giving tickets."

“I might have used some words I wouldn’t use on TV, but it was in a completely civil manner.”

I don't think he asked and how do you swear at somebody in a civil manner?

Sorry I know this will upset some of the defend the cyclist at all costs brigade, but I think he deserved that and more.

Also, he deserves praise in relation to the award but it does not mean you can have carte blanche in other situations.

First, no lights at night, runs a red. Two offences which presumably gets a ticket or two. Why the need to use handcuffs? Silly traffic violation, and should be sanctioned, but the reaction is excessive. It does make you wonder though, if this individual has been dishing out punches before and getting away with it - off camera.

I'm glad I don't get cuffed and punched everytime I run a red light...

In this country we have whats called the "conflict management model" which is used with basically every situation / incident we attend.

If we have to use violence / force to restrain someone we have to justify why we did it. In this video the cop was not alone and the use of force used by the IP was minimal so in those circumstance i personally would not have needed to use force such as the cop did.

I think the correct punishment for riding a bike without lights through a red light should be a punch in the face. However, it's not this cops job to dish it out.

Note that the cop tells him to "relax your arms" *AFTER* he punches him. Surely the warning/instruction should come *after* the punch?

I don't know what standard police procedure is but a punch to the head doesn't really seem to be appropriate. But breaking a red light is also not 'OK' and while I'm not defending the cops actions, we should remember that the cop is trying to do his job - not an easy one.

The officer says that he believed the 'suspect' was resisting arrest, and I have to say the 'suspect' does move his arms out of the handcuffs. To be fair to the cop he doesn't attempt to stop the filming and does not seem unreasonable.

I sincerely hope that police doesn't get deported back to these shores !

Should have hit him with a baseball bat for jumping a red light. Might have persuaded him of the benefits of a helmet too.

Why do they even need to be investigated? Here's conclusive video proof of what you have done, here's your punishment. They're just savages who'll do anything to bend the rules and get away with it.

CTV is not an American news network ... it's Canadian.

Glad to see it wasn't an Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) pulling a stunt like this - shameful. Given it's the Vancouver Metro police force too, the closest this cop will ever come to policing again is probably the mall, if he's found guilty. Can't exactly dispute the video evidence!

He's sounds British too...

Officer Bhabha's behaviour is unprovoked and reveals a preference to mindless violence. No room in any Police force for someone who can behave like this. He should be prosecuted for criminal assault and sacked from his job in the Force.

VPD Officer Bhabha #2703 has a suspiciously English accent....for a Canadian...

Canadian police often wear hoodies and beanie hats? If they are in plain clothes I suspect they really DO have something better to be doing.

What a ridiculous and disproportionate abuse of power. Any police officer who thinks it's okay to punch someone in handcuffs has serious issues.