Caught on tape: What police did right, and what police did wrong
Posted January 26, 2017 1:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
On Tuesday, a bystander captured video of a violent downtown Toronto arrest.
Police later apologized for some of the behaviour shown in that video, including one officer’s comments that the suspect is “going to spit in your face, you’re going to get AIDS.” Police spokesman Mark Pugash also said that the bystander was within his rights to film the arrest, contrary to what officers said at the time.
It’s the latest in a string of incidents caught on tape by witnessed armed with nothing more than a phone.
Here’s a few examples of where police came under fire, and when they were praised.
Jan. 24, 2017: Toronto police are filmed during a downtown arrest. Officers are now facing a formal complaint from the man who took that video. Waseem Khan says he wants the Office of the Independent Police Review Director to hold officers accountable.
Jan. 5, 2017: Toronto police officers are praised for the way they handled a New Year’s Day incident. A woman can be seen on a video stomping on police cruisers. She was arrested and placed in an ambulance.
Nov. 1, 2015: Santokh Bola, a 21-year-old man with an intellectual disability, is mistakenly arrested. His family is suing Toronto police for $5 million after he claims he was brutally beaten during the arrest.
Sept. 14, 2015: Two Toronto police officers respond aggressively to a man filming an arrest. Charges against Const. Shawn Gill and Const. Brian Smith were later stayed.
Feb. 17, 2015: Two teenage girls in Brampton assaulted a police officer who worked at St. Marguerite D’Youville as a liaison officer. The officer was praised for her behaviour and “restraint” during the incident. The teens, both young offenders, were later charged.
Dec. 12, 2013: Hamilton police are praised for the way they arrested a screaming woman.
July 27, 2013: Sammy Yatim, 18, was shot and killed on a Toronto streetcar. Const. James Forcillo was found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated assault in his death. Cellphone video of the incident went viral and ignited public outrage.
