Vancouver police officer charged with assault

A Vancouver police officer has been charged with assault in connection with an incident in which a disabled woman was pushed to the sidewalk in the city's Downtown Eastside.

Charged is Const. Taylor Robinson, who's alleged to have knocked Sandy Davidsen to the ground as she walked by Robinson and two other officers on East Hastings Street June 9.

Davidsen, 27, suffers from multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

Robinson reported the incident to his superior later that day, admitting that after the woman went to the sidewalk, neither Robinson nor the other two officers subsequently helped Davidsen to her feet, Vancouver police said in a release Tuesday.

Civil legal actions taken

The incident, which was caught on a security video camera, was investigated by New Westminster police. The police report recommended charges, which Crown counsel filed Tuesday.

Robinson joined the Vancouver police force in March 2009 and has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of the charges against him, the police release said.

"The officer involved has also apologized to the woman, expressing regret for his initial action and for not helping her in the aftermath," the release said.

A lawyer for Davidsen has filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal and has filed a lawsuit against Robinson in provincial small claims court, claiming $25,000 in damages.