OPP to investigate violent arrest captured on video in Barrie, Ont.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be conducting an investigation into the violent arrest of a 20-year-old man in Barrie, Ont., that was captured on video and posted to social media Thursday.

On Friday, Barrie's chief of police Kimberley Greenwood requested an investigation from an outside police service, saying the move is to ensure the process is "transparent and accountable."

"I acknowledge the public's concerns being expressed based on the limited availability of information at this time. I want to assure the community that any findings of misconduct will be pursued," Greenwood said in a statement.

"The images captured in the video are concerning to both the public and myself," she said in a statement earlier on Friday.

An officer involved in the arrest has been reassigned to alternate duties pending the outcome of the investigation, the statement reads.

In a cellphone video posted to Facebook, a police officer can be seen pinning a man to the ground and trying to arrest him. Bystanders can be heard shouting that the man was skateboarding, and that the officer is using excessive force. A skateboard can be seen nearby.

The video does not show what led to the incident, but police say it took place at 3 p.m. Thursday on Dunlop Street East. The statement says a 20-year-old Barrie man was charged with causing a disturbance and assault with attempting to resist arrest, but it does not offer any insight into what exactly took place.

Catégories

Corp policier (SPVM, SQ, GRC, agent de la STM, etc): 

Ville où l'événement s'est produit: 

Type de document: