The Vancouver Police Department is under scrutiny after Elijah Barnett, an innocent man, was wrongfully arrested and shot with rubber bullets while walking his friend’s dog in Yaletown last week. The police were responding to reports of a suspect in a violent home invasion in Calgary, and believed that Barnett was the suspect. However, they realized their mistake within minutes of taking him into custody. Barnett suffered injuries, cuts, and bruises as a result of the arrest.
“I remember walking out of the apartment building and the next thing I remember I’m on the ground and they attacked me from behind,” said Barnett.
Justice is difficult to get in cases of police misconduct
Kyla Lee explained, “The office of the police complaints commissioner will do an investigation and they’ll determine if there’s been a violation on behalf of the police, but they can’t really award compensation for injuries that were suffered.”
“In order to get compensation you have to sue the police and that can be a lengthy, expensive and time-consuming process,” Lee added.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner will conduct an independent review of the circumstances of Barnett’s arrest. Barnett is seeking accountability for the officers involved, including their suspension without pay and ultimately being charged. Meanwhile, the suspects involved in the Calgary home invasion have been arrested and charged.
