The absence of the arresting officers, particularly in light of their guilt concluded by the Police Complaint Commission is damning on the entire VPD.
SYSTEMIC RACISM?
This spring, the two arresting officers were suspended and ordered to apologize for their "serious, blameworthy" misconduct.
Brian Neal, a retired provincial court judge appointed to the case by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, found the officers each committed two counts of abuse of authority by "recklessly arresting the complainants and by using unnecessary force by applying handcuffs."
Johnson, right, and his granddaughter, centre, are pictured during a news conference on Sept. 28. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
What statement are these officers making to the community?