RCMP say use of force in arrest justified
Another officer 'interfered' with witness recording video of arrest, says police account
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, December 18, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
RCMP say the use of force by an officer during an arrest of a man at the city's day shelter last week was justified, despite causing the man to lose unconsciousness for several minutes and require medical treatment.
A man was knocked unconscious for several minutes when an RCMP officer used force during an arrest at the Safe Harbour Day Centre on Dec. 8. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Another officer received "operational guidance" from superiors for interfering with a witness who was recording a video of the arrest.
According to RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko, police were called to the Safe Harbour Day Centre on Dec. 8 for a "disturbance" involving a shelter user.
The shelter at the intersection of 49 Street and 51 Avenue is for people who otherwise would be on the street. While two officers were there, Sturko stated shelter staff asked them to deal with a second person allegedly causing a disturbance.
"The arresting officer advised the male that he was under arrest. During the arrest the male became assaultive, and resisted the officer," she wrote in an e-mailed statement. "The officer used force to affect the arrest and unfortunately the male was injured during this process."
The details of the incident were first published by another media outlet Tuesday which stated the injured man was intoxicated and staff were concerned for his safety once he left the shelter after it closed for the night. The article reported the man said something to the officer as he was about to be taken into custody. The officer responded by grabbing the man and throwing him to the ground.
The man was knocked unconscious for about three minutes, Sturko stated. First aid was provided and the man was later taken to hospital, although she could not state the nature of the injury. Sturko wrote that charges are pending against the injured man for causing a disturbance and resisting arrest. As of Wednesday, he had not appeared in court.
Denise McKee, executive director of the NWT Disabilities Council, which runs the shelter, did not return a request for comment about the arrest by press time.
The other media outlet reported a witness to the arrest recorded a video after the man was knocked out. Yellowknifer has not seen the video.
"Yellowknife Detachment Management have reviewed the circumstances and have determined that the use of force was appropriate," Sturko stated.
The second officer at the shelter, the outlet reported, had come up behind the man recording the video and tossed the phone in the air.
"A member did document that he interfered with a witness who was video recording the incident," she stated. "This is not part of an RCMP procedure.
"That Member then receives additional instruction to address the area of concern." She added in another e-mail that meant "reviewing the proper protocol to ensure that future situations are handled appropriately."
