Vancouver officer who pushed disabled woman could face tougher punishment

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s Police Complaints Commissioner has rejected the proposed punishment for a Vancouver police officer who pushed a disabled woman to the sidewalk.

Commissioner Stan Lowe has written to Const. Taylor Robinson and Sandy Davidsen, the woman who was pushed, advising that he believes the proposed penalty for Robinson does not reflect the severity of the misconduct.

A disciplinary conference was held in Vancouver earlier this month and ruled Robinson should be docked one day’s pay and take special training on available force options.

Lowe rejects those findings and has ordered the matter to a formal discipline hearing, prompting Davidsen’s lawyer to request a retired judge, rather than another police officer, recommend an appropriate punishment.

An investigation by the New Westminster Police earlier determined that allegations of abuse of authority and neglect of duty against Robinson could be substantiated.

Davidsen, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, launched a complaint after video showed her being pushed to the ground by Robinson as she walked along a busy sidewalk on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in June, 2010.