Vancouver police officers could face charges following 2018 takedown of Black man

As police forces across the world grapple withrenewed public scrutiny following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn.,a Vancouver mansays he is still waiting for justiceafter cellphone video captured a group of police officers wrestling him to the ground for an alleged jaywalking violation.

"If my friends weren't filming I probably wouldn't be here,"said Jamiel Moore-Williams, 23.

"I feel targeted," he said. "I genuinely feel these guys were scared of how I lookI'm a big Black man."

In the two years since the arrest, theOffice of the Police Complaints Commissionerlaunchedacriminal investigation against four officers for their involvement.

In February, that file was turned overto the B.C. Prosecution Service where it's now being assessed to see if charges are warranted, spokespersonDan McLaughlin said in an email.

It's not known, however, when Crown counsel will make a decision.

In a lawsuit filed against the City of Vancouver, Moore-Williams sayshe was on Granville Street in the city's downtown in the early hours ofFeb. 11, 2018, when a person in "mental distress"began to pelt himand other bystanders with rocks.

Moore-Williams, a fitness instructor and formerdefensive lineman for theUniversity of British Columbia football team,says he had a decision to make.

"Do I stand and get hit by the rocks, or play superhero, or just cross the street?"

As he stepped onto the street to avoid being hit, Moore-Williams says an officer in a Vancouver Police Department squad car blasted his horn.

Court documents sayMoore-Williams responded by throwingup his hands, and "perhaps making a rude gesture toward"the officer, before beingapproached, and asked to produce identification.

It's around then that hisfriends started filming.

Jaywalking Arrest Feb. 18, 2018

4 years ago

Duration 1:14

In the video, Moore-Williams can be heard saying thathe is giving his ID, as several officers arrive on scene.

The lawsuit statesthat as he heldthe card with his right hand, additional officers moved in, grabbing Moore-Williams' arms and legs, sending him to the ground.

Vancouver police are then accused ofkicking and hitting Moore-Williams in the head and body, before eventually Tasering him seven to 14 times at close range.They issued him a ticket for jaywalkingand obstruction of justice. Those charges have since been stayed.

Moore-Williams says the eventstill resonates with him.

"I didn't know how sad I was until I sat down and spoke to my buddy,"he said."I feel sick."

"These guys are still working and getting paid. At my job, if I did anything outside my scope, I'm not allowed to practice anymore," said Moore-Williams.

He says Vancouver police should have to wear body cameras and microphones, echoing recent calls for increased accountability from other police forces.

"I'm tired of crying," he said.

"There needs to be solutions. There needs to be justice."

Vancouver police declined to comment because the file is in front of Crown counsel.