VANCOUVER, B.C. - The newspaper delivery man who claims he was beaten and robbed by three off-duty Vancouver-area police officers last week says the officers involved should have been charged with a hate crime for shouting "we don't like brown people" during the alleged assault.
Firoz Khan made the comments after learning that Vancouver police are recommending charges against only two of the three officers allegedly involved in the incident near a downtown hotel.
Chief Const. Jim Chu announced Monday that charges of assault and possession of stolen property will be recommended against the constable from New Westminster, B.C.
Police are also suggesting the Crown lay a charge of robbery against an officer from West Vancouver's police department
But Chu said some witness accounts suggest the Delta, B.C., officer may have tried to intervene to stop the tussle and he will not be charged.
Khan disputes that claim.
"Not a single person said, out of the three of them said, 'stop that fight, I'm here to stop the fight, don't punch the guy.' I never heard anything like that," Khan said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"When they kept on saying, 'we don't like brown people,' you could hear the voices change, from one to another to another while the kicking continued on."
Nevertheless, Chu said hate-crime charges will not be recommended against the officers at this time.
"The victim cannot say which of his assailants made the statement. As a result, we're not including this in the report to Crown counsel in terms of a specific recommendation to Crown counsel regarding a hate crime," he said.
The officers will not be named until charges are sworn in court.
Chu disputed any notion that the officers received favourable treatment, though he admitted the high level of interest surrounding the case brought a particular sense of urgency.
"Right now, I'm before you telling you that the Vancouver police officers who have investigated this are recommending some very serious charges," the chief said.
"A lot of people watch TV, and they know that 'C.S.I Miami' solves it in one hour. That's not the case with these types of crimes, especially when it involves three suspects in one incident," Chu said.
He said he received emails from the public that suggested Vancouver police were going to cover things up, but is more than satisfied with VPD's response to the incident.
"From the moment that Vancouver police were called to the scene, many of us realized that this would be a case that could polarize public opinion, shake their faith in the justice system, and offer every police critic a new platform to speak from," he said.
"I'm pleased with the unprecedented swiftness of this investigation."
New Westminster Police issued a statement shortly after Vancouver Police made the announcement recommending charges.
"Allegations of this nature against one of our police officers is very serious and disconcerting, not only to our organization, but also to the citizens we serve," Chief Const. Lorne Zapotichny said in a release.
"I ask for the public's patience and trust during this investigation as members of the police must be afforded the same due process as any other member of the public," he said.
The New Westminster constable was suspended with pay after the allegations were made public.
West Vancouver Police also issued a statement, calling the entire affair "highly disturbing."
Chief Const. Kash Heed conveyed his support to Khan and apologized to his family.
The West Vancouver officer was reassigned to administrative duties last week.
A further decision on his status has been made, though details have not yet been released.
Solicitor General John Van Dongen said the public has the right to expect a high standard from its officers.
He said he was disappointed to hear that charges had been recommended.
"But it has to be kept in perspective, in terms of the thousands of police officers that go to work every day and are dedicated to public safety."
Chu declined comment when asked if the officers have been co-operating with the investigation.
He said the area has been canvassed, but doesn't believe there is any video evidence of the incident available.
Khan alleges he was also warned about a Taser during the assault.