A video of an arrest by Port Alberni RCMP officers has led to outrage across the web.
The video was initially shared on Facebook by Stacy Marie, and the footage begins with an arrest in progress, with one man on the ground, one male police officer on top of him, and another female officer standing beside them.
Almost immediately after the video starts, we see the officer strike the individual on the ground on the back of the head. Eventually, another male officer steps into the fray, and they escort the man away. The entire video lasts around four minutes.
The video has caused widespread outrage online and has been shared on various platforms, like X and Reddit. As the arrest unfolds, you can hear witnesses yelling out at the police in response to the strikes against the individual on the ground.
Warning: The following video contains language that some viewers may find disturbing.
RCMP says context is missing
Port Alberni RCMP issued a media release in response to the outrage.
The incident leading up to the arrest took place on Aug. 17. According to its statement, RCMP said that the individual being arrested in the video fled and allegedly assaulted a police officer.
“Port Alberni RCMP was called to a business in the 3900 block of 8 Avenue in Port Alberni to remove an individual who was unwanted. The individual in question was sought by police in relation to a breach of a release order,” RCMP said.
According to the RCMP, when officers arrived on the scene, they found the suspect, but he fled from responding officers. A foot chase followed before the suspect was eventually caught in an alley between 6th and 7th Avenue.
“It is alleged that the suspect then assaulted the police officer who had caught up to him, and a physical struggle ended up on the ground with the suspect keeping his hands underneath his body,” RCMP said.
Port Alberni RCMP adds that during the arrest, officers saw a sharp object in the suspect’s hands, “and he was not complying with his arrest.”
“Police had to use force to gain compliance and prevent further injuries.”
RCMP shared that the suspect is a 33-year-old Port Alberni man who was transported to Port Alberni RCMP, where he was being held for court.
Inspector Kim Bruce, a detachment commander for the Port Alberni RCMP, said that the force is aware of the video that has been circulating.
“The video does not show the much-needed context prior to the arrest, nor the observations of the officers,” Bruce said.
“While use of force by police in any arrest may be disturbing to onlookers, it is important to look at the totality, rather than the result. The Criminal Code provides us with the authority to use force, and it is not something we take lightly.”
Daily Hive has reached out to the witness who captured the footage for more information.