If you're the sort of person inclined to punch a police officer, our very best suggestion here at Political Bytes is not to do it. And certainly not do it right around the corner from a Jack Layton rally.

But some people just never listen.

The NDP leader held a rally in Toronto's sometimes troubled Davenport riding.

Everywhere Layton goes, these days, he's escorted by an RCMP protective detail. The higher risk the event, or neighbourhood, the larger the size of the detail — and the more support they get from local police officers.

And this event, on a stretch of Bloor West, was considered a little more risky than most events.

No fewer than four uniformed Toronto police officers were on hand — three of them on bicycles. All of this, on top of the already bigger RCMP detail, and plainclothes Toronto police officers.

As reporters milled around outside following the Layton event, a young man in baggy jean shorts and long white T-shirt ran around the corner.

Seeing the sidewalk blocked by reporters and NDP supporters, he dashed out into the street. He was running fast, but not so fast that he didn't pause to take a second look at the group of police officers standing on the sidewalk. His speed suddenly increased.

A second later, another police officer rounded the corner, in hot pursuit.

Now, everyone knew what was going on.

The pursuing cop hollered at his comrades, "get on your bikes." And they did, pedalling madly down the road.

The crowd of photographers standing about knew a good photo when they saw one, and gave chase, too.

That prompted the remaining plainclothes Toronto police officers to fall in behind — and now there was a parade of police and cameras all behind the running young man.

They, themselves, were followed, in short order, by a second parade of five police cars.

Needless to say, the bike is mightier than the foot, and the man was collared, cuffed, and thrown over the trunk of a police cruiser, with the entire scene captured by photographers and a national TV crew.

The police officer who led the chase said the man he was after was "just a bad guy." But he had a hard time saying it, as his cheek was swollen and bruised.

When pressed, the officer explained: "I was talking to him. He took a swing at me, and took off."

—James Cudmore