American actor DJ Qualls says he does not condone bashing the Vancouver Police Department, despite claiming to have been roughed up by an officer to the point of needing stitches Friday night.
Const. Lindsey Houghton said Saturday that police had reached out to Qualls to encourage him to file a formal complaint about the incident. On Sunday, the 130-pound actor confirmed the process was underway.
"Ive met with reps from the Professional Standards unit and they are helping me," Qualls wrote. "So far, they have been helpful and supportive and we all look forward to a resolution to the situation."
"The events of Friday night in no way shape or inform my opinions of Vancouver or Canada as a whole. I feel fortunate I get to work here."
Houghton said police had already "proactively initiated an investigation" before Qualls got in touch with them.
The "Road Trip" star posted a series of messages to his Twitter account on Saturday detailing allegations that an officer beat him after he tried to point out a man who had punched a woman during a street brawl.
"I was handcuffed and bleeding," Qualls wrote. He later described his injuries to one of his Twitter followers: "My face is messed up. I bled out A LOT. Im hurting so badly, I cant sleep."
No details of the police investigation have been revealed. Qualls has said that he would like an apology from police, and to be reimbursed for the $800 he claims to have paid for an ambulance and to receive stitches.
Qualls has appeared in several movies and television shows, including "Hustle & Flow," "All About Steve," "Lost" and "The Big Bang Theory."
