A Vancouver police officer is recovering from a broken leg after an alleged assault by a man who was refusing to wear a mask.
Police said two officers were inside the Vancouver Law Courts on Tuesday when a man walked in and wasn’t wearing a mask, violating the COVID-19 public health orders
“He was asked by the on-duty sheriff to put on a mask, but the man allegedly refused and also refused to leave the building,” Const. Tania Visintin said in a release.
Officers came over and told the man about the provincial health order requiring everyone to wear a mask inside. The man was argumentative and aggressive with police, Visintin said, and he allegedly kicked one of the officers and tried to reach for his firearm.
When officers tried to get him into custody, he fell on an officer, breaking his leg, Visintin added.
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“This man showed complete disregard for the provisions set out by the provincial health officer,” she said. “This was a senseless confrontation that did not need to escalate to the point where someone was seriously injured.”
The officer, who has been with the force for a long time, will be off-duty for a few months.
Police are recommending charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, assault on a peace officer, and disarming a peace officer against a 53-year-old man from Vancouver.
He was also issued a $230 violation ticket for failing to wear a mask in an indoor public space, Visintin added.
She confirmed he does have a history with police.
In a statement, the B.C. Prosecution Service told Global News that Marrett Alexander Green has been charged with three criminal code offences including aggravated assault of a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer and disarming or attempting to disarm a peace officer.
She said they are seeing more occasions where people are not adhering to provincial health orders, including holding large parties and refusing to wear a mask indoors.