A traffic stop turned violent when two Vancouver Police offers were approached by a man hurling abusive language at them.
The traffic stop was being conducted Wednesday night (June 2) around 9:15 p.m. near Cambie and 16th. The officers were approached by a 53-year-old man who had been sitting at a nearby bus stop. The man started behaving erratically and aggressively toward the officers, allegedly making threats, uttering racist and homophobic slurs, and then lunging at one of the officers.
“He then bit one of the officers, started swinging at and attempting to strike them, and violently resisted as the officers attempted to place him in handcuffs,” wrote Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD in an email to V.I.A. “Following a lengthy struggle, the officers eventually gained control of the suspect.”
Videos taken during the arrest show many police vehicles surrounding the bus stop. Addison explained the additional police cars belonged to officers who rushed in to assist.
Both officers were taken to hospital with injuries, which included bite marks, and head and neck soreness. They were unable to complete their shift due to their injuries.
The suspect received a non-life-threatening injury during the arrest and was taken to hospital as well.
The VPD investigation is ongoing and charges will be recommended to Crown counsel at the conclusion of the investigation.
