Police who posed with prisoner being investigated

Vancouver police have launched an internal investigation of five of its officers over a controversial photograph of a prisoner ata lockup in the city.

The photo, taken more than a week ago, has not been released, but police say it shows four officers posing with a man they had just arrested.

The suspect is wearing a white prison jumpsuit, is said to look distressed and has an injury to his face that he suffered during his arrest.

Police say one of the officers is holding the man by his head or neck, and all of the officers are smiling.

'Questionable conduct'

Police Chief Jamie Graham ordered the inquiry after a tip from one of his own officers, said Insp. Rollie Woods, who heads up the unit that handles internal investigations.

"This type of photo is not authorized under police procedure.And the department strongly disapproves of what appears to be questionable conduct on the part of our officers."

He said the man in the jumpsuit has a lengthy criminal record for breaking and entering, is considered dangerous and resistedarrest.

Woods said the three constables and a sergeant in the photo and the constable behind the camera are under investigation for possible assault, assault causing bodily harm, abuse of authority and conduct unbecoming an officer.

When he was asked by reporters whether the photo of the suspect may have been taken as a "trophy," he said he didn't know what the motivation was.

Officers 'frustrated,' says union

The president of the Vancouver Police Union, Tom Stamatakis, says the prisoner'scriminal past may make the internal investigation hard totake for some officers.

"I think it's probably fair to say that our officers generally are quite frustrated with some of these individuals, and that's probably why officers may react with some frustration."

But Stamatakisadded thatit's important to ensure police officers behave in a professional manner.