Video: British Columbia Police Officer Stomps and Kicks Suspect Without Cause

This video out of British Columbia is instructive on the use of gratuitous force. Most abuse video that we see often involves serious injuries that lead to litigation. However, most cases of abuse are small acts of physical harm that rarely result in complaints let alone lawsuits. This arrest occurred in Abbotsford, B.C., on October 9th.

In this case, both officials use kicks to communicate with the suspects. The first officer is far more aggressive and seems to think that stomping on a suspect’s head is a reasonable means to keep him from raising his head one inch to see.

There were reportedly three suspects in a drug arrest near a local high school. Abbotsford police spokesman Const. Ian MacDonald insists that, while a complaint has been filed, the public needs to understand that “[t]hey are challenged, not only by the fact that they are out-numbered in terms of three bad guys and two police officers, but they also have the suspect vehicle rolling into the street.”

I can certainly understand that pressure, but the suspects were not resisting and I fail to be the justification for the abuse. It appears gratuitous and cruel. The officers have guns trained on the men who are on the ground. The rolling car is obviously not a factor here. One officer goes out of his way to do a knee drop on one suspect and to walk on top of him. That is not some police method at work.

For the full story, click here.