VPD Cst. Jarrod Sidhu is charged with one count of assault with a weapon for the tasering of Jamiel Moore-Williams and Cst. Jagpret Ghuman is charged with one count of assault for kicking Williams in the head while he was immobilized on the ground following the tasering. The Justice-for-Jamiel Group said the use of severe force by the VPD on Williams required the Vancouver resident to be hospitalised for his injuries. When admitted to hospital, the police officers shackled Williams to the hospital bed so tightly that it caused him irreversible nerve damage: all this ostensibly for a jaywalking charge.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER – Two Indo-Canadian cops with the Vancouver Police Department have been charged with a brutal beating of a black football player with the University of British Columbia.

On February 10th, 2018 Jamiel Moore-Williams was attacked by the VPD officers. Williams was walking in the Granville Entertainment District on a night out with his friends.

Cst. Jarrod Sidhu is charged with one count of assault with a weapon for the tasering of Williams. Cst. Jagpret Ghuman is charged with one count of assault for kicking Williams in the head while he was immobilized on the ground following the tasering.

Artwork by Erick M Ramos

The VPD constables determined a jaywalking charge—which was later stayed—to be in the public's interest. The officers are accused of tackling, kneeing, kicking and repeatedly (14 times) electrocuting Williams with a taser electroshock gun during the arrest.

The Justice-for-Jamiel Group said the use of severe force by the VPD on Williams required the Vancouver resident to be hospitalised for his injuries. When admitted to hospital, the police officers shackled Williams to the hospital bed so tightly that it caused him irreversible nerve damage: all this ostensibly for a jaywalking charge.

The VPD later charged Williams with obstruction of justice and resisting arrest. The Groups said the department went as far as claiming that he had put an officer in a headlock during the arrest. But the video footage proved their claim was a fabrication, used to falsely incriminate Williams after his attack. All charges againstWilliams were eventually stayed as the video footage shows he  was compliant with VPD instructions and willingly presenting his identification for their review.

The Group said Tuesday that after almost three years and extensive delay by the VPD, the Crown has finally charged two of the five officers involved in the arrest for assault and assault with a weapon.

The first appearance in the Vancouver Provincial Court of BC for Sidhu and Ghuman is January 14, 2021.

“We watch and wait to see whether the Crown will hold these officers accountable for beating and tasering Jamiel Moore Williams,” said Justice-for-Jamiel Group.

The Group has started a  GoFundMe campaign: https://gf.me/u/y5yvy4 and encouraging the public to contact Mark Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor and tell him to reconstitute the all-party committee that had been struck to review the Police Act or send an e-mail to PSSG.Minister@gov.bc.ca

The Group is also encouraging the public to contact your MLA and tell them that overhauling the Police Act in B.C. to protect British Columbians who are poor, racialised and/or experiencing mental health emergencies from arbitrary police violence is a priority for you. Find their e-mail addresses here: www.leg.bc.ca/content-committees/Pages/MLA-Contact-Information.aspx