The Tsilhqot’in National Government is condemning the violent arrest of a man in Williams Lake which was caught on video while calling for the immediate suspension of the officers involved.

Its after video of the arrest was posted to social media where it shows an officer kicking and punching a man on the ground while another officer is trying to handcuff him.

“We are particularly concerned by indications that the man attacked by RCMP in this video is Indigenous. Unfortunately, the threat of unwarranted, unnecessary violence from the RCMP is a reality that Indigenous peoples live with every day,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, the Tribal Chair of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government.

“We demand a full, independent investigation into this incident and the immediate suspension of the officers that were involved and we will not rest until there is accountability for this incident and an end to police brutality against Indigenous peoples.”

RCMP North District commander Chief Supt. Warren Brown says the video doesn’t show the full scope of the arrest or provide the context as to what happened leading up to the incident.

“What is captured by the civilian video was the culmination of a high-risk, multi-jurisdictional incident, that put the lives of the public and police in several communities in jeopardy,” he said, noting the incident began on Sunday with reports of a man driving erratically in Kamloops, almost 300 kilometres away from where there arrest took place.

In a statement, Brown says the driver failed to stop for officers in Clinton and again in 100 Mile House, noting it took two spike belts to stop the vehicle – one in 150 Mile House, and another along the highway in Williams Lake.

“We are fortunate that no one, including the suspect, was physically injured in an incident that can only be described a reckless and dangerous, which put the public and police at risk,” Brown added.

“We encourage anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with more information in regards to this incident to please contact Williams Lake RCMP.”

RCMP launch code of conduct probe into arrest

In the video shared to facebook, the man appears to stop and kneel before being restrained by one officer after being chased down an embankment while a second officer rushes in and kicks the man twice before punching him multiple times.

Brown says the driver refused to show his hands while he was being arrested noting the second officer was aware the man could have been armed.

“[The] second responding officer…utilized several strikes including one with his foot to rapidly gain control of the suspect and resolve the situation,” Brown said. “The suspect was arrested without further incident and was found not to be in possession of a firearm.”

“Fortunately, there is video footage that was captured by a passing motorist as well as dash cam video from the lead pursuing police vehicle that captures the arrest of the driver that provides context to the eventual arrest and articulation from the police officers involved.”

The driver remains in custody on seven outstanding warrants including dangerous driving, flight from police, prohibited driving, possession of stolen property, and three counts of breach.

A code of conduct investigation has been launched and Brown says the Mounties are also determining whether an external agency may have a role in reviewing the use of force to see if it was necessary under the circumstances.

“I would like to thank the public for bringing this matter forward. I have full confidence that the review and internal investigation underway will allow for a full capture of the facts that will guide our actions and any other decisions moving forward,” he added.

In a statement, the Interim Vice-Chair of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, Chief Jimmy Lulua, says they want a meeting with the RCMP to demand accountability for the violence from police officers.

“This occurrence is a deeply disturbing video and it demands an immediate, independent investigation so that we have all of the facts,” he said. “People across Canada and the United States are standing up and speaking out against police brutality and other forms of racialized violence experienced by black people, Indigenous people, and people of colour.”

“We need to see change now.”

(Video via Charli Fortier below)

https://www.facebook.com/CharliFortier/videos/10164205164585263/?q=charli%20fortier&epa=SEARCH_BOX