Man in police photo says he was 'humiliated'

The man pictured in a controversial photo with four Vancouver police officers after being arrested earlier this monthsays it was the most humiliating experience of his life.

Martin Weigelt, 40,told CBC News he was assaulted bythe police after his arrest andtaken to jail.

His lawyer, Phil Rankin, saidWeigelt was then told he was about to have his picture taken.

"He said one of the cops he recognized, one of the ones that punched him in the face, came forward and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck basically, and dragged him into this trophy picture and they said, 'Weigelt, say cheese.'"

Speaking from the Port Coquitlam Regional Correctional Centre, Weigelt said he deserved to be arrested, but didn't deserve the treatment he got from police.

"And they were still laughing as they let go of me, still laughing as I'm walking away towards the elevator. I'm feeling pretty empty, pretty shallow, pretty humiliated," hesaid.

"I totally didn't deserve this. I am still human. I may have deserved to be arrested but not assaulted."

Weigelt says he was hit in the head during his arrest, and was then held face first in a puddle and threatened with a Taser.

5 officers under investigation

The four officers who posed withWeigelt, and the officer who took the picture, are all under investigation by the police department.

While Vancouverofficers haven't released the "trophy" photograph, they say it shows a distressed looking Weigelt, who has a cut on his face.

Police Chief Jamie Graham has said the force used by officers to arrest Weigelt was appropriate, and that a preliminary internal investigation shows the officers did not use excessive force.

Carries long record

CBC News has learned that Weigelt has 55 convictionsranging from weapons possession, breaking and entering, drug trafficking, breach of parole, theft, resisting arrest and drug possessiondating to 1988.

In police statements, Weigelt admitted to having a $1,000-a-day drug habit and has not held a job in 20 years.

He has appeared in provincial court more than 100 times and is awaiting trialin sevendifferent cases.

Despite this lengthy record, Rankin maintains his client was a victim of police brutality.

"The real abuse is the abuse of the down and outers," he said. "Because they are powerless and no one cares what happens to them."

Rankin has filed a complaint against the officers, not for the photo, but for what he calls the torture of Weigelt during the arrest.