Edmonton police reviewing officer’s actions during arrest
Posted March 31, 2023 7:21 pm.
Last Updated March 31, 2023 7:31 pm.
The Edmonton Police Service says it’s reviewing the use of force by one of its members during an arrest that was caught on camera.
The video, filmed by outreach workers last Sunday, shows someone in apparent mental distress being taken into custody by police.
The footage, which may be distressing to some viewers, was taken in Old Strathcona. In it, a person who is handcuffed is seen kicking an officer’s foot before they are thrown down by the EPS member.
A pool of blood is then seen forming around the individual as they were held down.
The EPS says the person being arrested sustained a cut to their chin. They were taken to the hospital.
According to the force, officers had been called in by fire crews and paramedics to help assess an individual who was described as “erratic.”
“It was reported that the subject of the call was acting aggressively towards first responders and other people on scene,” a statement from the EPS reads.
“When police arrived, they were initially able to gain compliance and arrest the subject using verbal direction accompanied by the display of a CEW (commonly known as a taser), but were later required to use additional force after the subject kicked one of the arresting officers.”
A local criminologist says they don’t believe the officer’s actions were proportional to the threat the person posted.
“This was a citizen who seems to be in some kind of mental distress and needed welfare intervention rather than such an egregious use of force,” explained Temitope Oriola, a professor of criminology at the University of Alberta.
He notes in the video, a community member is heard informing police of the suspect’s mental health after the takedown.
“Just so you guys know, he hasn’t had his meds in a few days,” the person, off-screen, is heard saying. “He hasn’t taken his meds in a few days.”
HARES, HArm REduction Support, filmed the interaction. It says in a statement to CityNews it felt the officers did not make an effort to engage with the person in distress before the arrest.
Community outreach group calls for ASIRT to investigate
It is now calling for the province’s police watchdog, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), to investigate.
The EPS, meanwhile, says the “use of force was reported and documented” per its protocol.
“Police were aware they were being filmed, and requested witness statements and video from bystanders and other first responders on scene,” the EPS added. “The incident and video in question are being reviewed to determine if any next steps are required. There is no change to the duty status of the officers involved.”
However, Oriola believes moments like this erode trust between police and vulnerable communities.
“The EPS and other police forces need to focus on hiring psychologically unremarkable individuals. You cannot as a police officer lose your temperament in such a manner,” he said.
Edmonton police say the individual was not charged but was given an appearance notice for outstanding warrants.
