Vancouver cops accused of bullying on Downtown Eastside

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The behaviour of two Vancouver beat cops is under scrutiny. The Pivot Legal Society has posted pictures of them around the Downtown Eastside, after it says it received complaints of harassment.

It’s also pushing for others to come forward after hearing a number of concerning stories, none of which have been proven in court.

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Lawyer Anna Cooper says Pivot has received complaints about bullying behaviour by these two officers.

“There have been a number of allegations of violence against specific individuals living in that community,” says Cooper.

The group has posted pictures of these officers in that community and on Twitter ahead of a meeting next week.

The Pivot Legal Society said over 100 of these posters were distributed in one hour on the Downtown Eastside. NEWS 1130 has blurred the officers’ faces, as they have not been formally charged with any crimes. (Source: Twitter/@pivotlegal)

“But the allegations that I’m hearing from people who live and survive on the streets of the Downtown Eastside is that these two officers are routinely engaging in, at best, harassing and bullying conduct,” Cooper says. “They’re treating people in really intimidating ways. And there also have been allegations of violence against specific individuals living in that community.”

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Pivot argues it’s not viable for these people to go directly to police with these claims.

“In order to file a complaint, they have to open themselves up to retaliation from the officers in question, who will be policing them the next day,” says Cooper.

When asked to comment Vancouver Police said they had “nothing further to add other than what was already said yesterday.” 

 – With files from Hana Mae Nassar

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include Cooper’s full comments. NEWS 1130 apologizes for any confusion.