Mounties have launched a review on an arrest that took place yesterday (Oct 25) in Williams Lake.
The arrest was caught on film by a passing driver, who posted it to social media.
Chief Superintendent Warren Brown said immediately upon learning of the arrest, a review was launched into the conduct.
The review includes speaking with the officers involved and witnesses, reviewing the in police car video, police radio transmissions, as well as a civilian video.
The video shows two officers in pursuit of a man who runs down an embankment in an attempt to evade police.
In the video, the man appears to put his hands up before being secured by one of the officers.
A second officer appears to kick and punch the suspect while he is on the ground.
However, Brown said the video does not provide context to the events prior.
“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 at risk,” said Brown in a statement provided to media.
Kamloops RCMP received a report of an ‘erratic’ driver on Highway 1 who was allegedly crossing on double solid lines, unable to maintain its lane and traveling at variable speeds yesterday morning.
Kamloops RCMP was not in a position to intercept the vehicle so information was broadcast to neighboring jurisdictions about the vehicle.
Queries on the truck showed that at a recent stop in Kamloops, a person driving it had been found in possession of a loaded handgun.
An officer in Clinton located the vehicle, however, the driver failed to stop and fled from police at high speed after reportedly passing four vehicles.
The driver was also on the wrong side of the road on a blind corner, according to police.
The driver failed to stop for officers in 100 Mile House and 150 Mile House as well, Brown added.
As a result, a spike belt was deployed just outside of 150 Mile House by officers.
“Despite two deflated tires the driver continued to drive on the bare rims until the truck was demobilized by another spike belt near White road on Highway 97 in Williams Lake,” said Brown.
According to Brown, the suspect refused to comply with the officer’s commands to show his hands and a struggle ensued between the suspect and first officer.
A second officer thought the man could be armed, and because the suspect was not obeying initial commands, is seen to be punching and kicking the suspect.
The suspect was arrested without further incident and was found not to be in possession of a firearm.
“We are fortunate that no one, including the suspect, was physically injured in an incident that can only be described as reckless and dangerous, which put the public and police at risk”, Brown said.
– With files from Pat Matthews, My Cariboo Now
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