Toronto Sun September 24, 2011
“Just got out of the ER. Was beaten by a Vancouver police officer for no reason,” he wrote.
Actor DJ Qualls says he needed stitches after he was assaulted by a Vancouver police officer Friday night.
The actor, known for roles in movies such as Road Trip and All About Steve, is in Vancouver for work, took to his Twitter account to talk about the alleged assault.
“Just got out of the ER. Was beaten by a Vancouver police officer for no reason,” he wrote. “Was not arrested (because I) was innocent. I was handcuffed and bleeding while the cop kept saying to me, ‘You think you’re f—ing better than me?'”
The actor said it started after he walked out of a cafe and witnessed a fight and when police were on scene, he told an officer what he saw.
“(The officer) said if I didn’t get out of there, he’d arrest me. I asked why and he tackled me, busted my face and handcuffed me. Then (he) taunted me for half an hour before the ambulance came. I was held, no calls, no attorney and I had to pay a $800 ER bill,” he wrote.
He said the officer pushed his head into the road, “busting open my chin.” When Qualls asked the officer for his badge number, he said he was told to shut up.
He added he could be fired on Monday because he won’t be able to shave his beard due to the stitches.
Qualls named the officer, identifying him as Brian Trklja, and demanded an apology from police and a full reimbursement of hospital costs.
Vancouver Police tweeted back at Qualls and asked him to contact the professional standards section.
“They are investigating your complaint,” police said.
Police did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.
Qualls said he would be contacting police and continued to discuss the alleged assault with fans on Twitter.
“I cannot understand it. I’m sitting here, with a busted face in total shock. I literally did nothing wrong,” he wrote.
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Copwatch Vancouver 