Image Credit: Facebook / Charli Fortier

By Dylana Kneeshaw

POLICE TAKEDOWN

Violent arrest video from Williams Lake doesn’t show “full context”: RCMP superintendent

Oct 26, 2020 | 4:04 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Williams Lake RCMP say a video circulating online showcasing a dramatic arrest doesn’t tell the whole story.

A video has recently surfaced on social media sites, showing Williams Lake RCMP officers running down an embankment towards a fleeing suspect, kicking the individual, and tackling him to the ground. The video has drawn criticism around the amount of force used to detain the suspect.

WATCH: (Video Credit: Facebook / Charli Fortier)

North District RCMP Commander Chief Superintendent Warren Brown issued a statement Monday (Oct. 26) in response, noting that they have launched a review of the incident.

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However, Chief Supt. Brown says the video “does not provide the full-scope of the arrest and provides no context with respect to what precipitated the arrest.”

The incident in question began just before 9:00 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 25), after an erratic driver along Highway 1 in the Kamloops area was reported to RCMP. The caller reported that a silver pick-up was crossing on double solid lines, not staying in its lane and changing its speeds.

RCMP say inquiries on the truck showed that at a recent stop in Kamloops, the person driving it had a loaded handgun in their possession. Officers in neighbouring jurisdictions were advised to be on the look out for the vehicle.

An officer in Clinton found the vehicle but the driver fled at a high rate of speed after reportedly passing four vehicles on the wrong side of the road of a blind corner — putting himself and others in a dangerous situation.

The driver then failed to stop in 100 Mile House when officers tried to pull him over with lights and sirens. The driver also narrowly missed hitting an officer who tried to stop the truck in 150 Mile House.

A spike belt was successfully deployed outside of 150 Mile House and the driver continued to drive on bare rims until the vehicle hit another spike belt near White Road on Highway 97 in Williams Lake.

The driver then got out of the truck and ran down an embankment. While he appeared to be surrendering, police say he refused to comply with the officer’s commands to show his hands. With the suspect not complying, and officers aware that he may be armed, they struck the man to quickly gain control.

The suspect was arrested without further incident and a firearm was not found on him.

“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,” states Brown, “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 at 250-392-6211.”

Additional video footage sent to police also captured the arrest of the driver, which provides context to the statements from police officers involved.

The driver has been arrested and remains in custody on seven outstanding warrants.

These include:

• dangerous driving
• flight from police
• prohibited driving
• possession of stolen property
• three counts of breach

He was scheduled to appear in court in Williams Lake Monday (Oct. 26), and the B.C. Prosecution Service will make a determination of appropriate charges.