SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Video footage of an arrest made outside a Shell gas station has led to an RCMP code of conduct investigation and external review by police from Lethbridge, Alta.
Lethbridge police have been asked to investigate an arrest by RCMP officers at a Shell gas station March 27 after video of the arrest surfaced showing one of the officers striking the suspect while trying to handcuff him. - screen shot from John Louison video |
John Louison, a bylaw officer in Fort Good Hope, caught the arrest on tape March 27 and said an intoxicated male had been pinned down by two gas station employees after causing a disturbance in the store.
He started filming shortly before two RCMP officers arrived on scene.
"RCMP took the guy into custody and proceeded to handcuff him but his right arm wasn't put behind his waist, lower like it should have been, it was bent backwards over his shoulder," Louison told Yellowknifer.
"The (officer) who was holding his left arm hit the guy in the face ... and told him 'give me your (expletive) hand.'"
In the video, the officers can be viewed restraining the man and attempting to handcuff him, at which point the man appears to resist having his arms pulled back behind him.
One of the officers then quickly strikes the man in the head with his right hand while the other presses down on the man's head with his left knee.
Louison said the arrest could have gone more smoothly.
"They could have taken that extra minute to do it properly," Louison said.
Yellowknife RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko told Yellowknifer managing officers have ordered an external investigation which will be conducted by the Lethbridge Regional Police Service; Yellowknife RCMP have also commenced a code of conduct investigation.
"Our managing officers have seen the video and they have ordered an external investigation," said Sturko.
"For me to comment specifically on any behaviours or actions of the members involved would be at this time inappropriate while the investigation is going on."
The officer in question has been placed on administrative duty until the review is complete. Sturko said she could not release the officer's name as no charges have been laid.
Louison emphasized the incident should not be representative of the RCMP as a whole.
"All the RCMP members Canada-wide do a good job overall, there's just a few that make a mistake here and there," said Louison. "Hopefully he learns from it and continues his job."
Lethbridge investigators were expected to arrive in the city yesterday evening and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call Lethbridge police.
Shell employees declined to comment when approached by Yellowknifer.
