An off-duty Surrey Police Service officer, Darren Ted-Lon Young, was given a conditional discharge and six months of probation for assaulting a man at a Burnaby, B.C., casino while intoxicated. The incident occurred on June 2, 2024, when Young grabbed Quoc Binh Trinh around the neck and pulled him to the floor during an argument at a baccarat table. Young and a friend then exchanged punches with Trinh, after which Young informed casino staff of his police status by flashing his badge.
During the sentencing, B.C. Provincial Court Judge Deanne Gaffar emphasized that Young’s actions undermined respect for law enforcement and the rule of law in the community. Trinh suffered physical injuries from the assault, requiring physiotherapy and experiencing psychological distress, fearing that Young, as a police officer, could access his personal information.
The court learned that Young and his friends, heavily intoxicated, arrived at the casino in the early hours of the morning and continued drinking before the altercation. The argument with Trinh at the baccarat table escalated into the assault, described by Gaffar as unprovoked. Despite Young’s previously pro-social behavior, the judge noted that the incident tarnished the community’s trust in the police force.
Following the assault, Young ceased drinking, sought therapy, and apologized to Trinh. Gaffar acknowledged his efforts to reform and improve his personal life but highlighted the repercussions he faced within the Surrey Police Service, including career setbacks and public scrutiny. The judge sentenced Young to six months of probation, prohibited him from drinking alcohol or contacting the victim, and mandated 20 hours of community service.