A video of a police pursuit on Highway 97 near Williams Lake and the arrest that followed is being circulated online.
The video shows RCMP officers trying to secure a suspect, who briefly fled on foot from his vehicle and down an embankment off the highway.
One officer starts to secure the suspect, while another arrives and appears to kick and punch the suspect.
Witnesses filming the incident can be heard yelling at the police officers to stop.
North District RCMP Chief Superintendent Warren Brown has issued a response in regards to the incident, which occurred on Sunday (Oct. 25).
“I want to assure you that immediately upon learning of the arrest we launched a review of the incident which includes speaking with the officers involved and witnesses, reviewing the in police car video, police radio transmissions, as well as the civilian video,” says Brown.
“Additionally, I have spoken with the Officer in Charge of the Williams Lake RCMP who has launched a code of conduct investigation. Discussions are continuing with respect to what role an external agency may have in reviewing the use of force, and determining whether it was reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.”
He says a preliminary review of the video does not provide a 'full-scope' of the arrest or the context that led to it.
“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, in jeopardy.”
Brown says just before 9 a.m. on Sunday, Kamloops RCMP received a report of an erratic driver on Highway 1.
A caller reported the driver was allegedly crossing on double solid lines, unable to maintain its lane and travelling at variable speeds.
Kamloops RCMP was not in a position to intercept the vehicle, so information was broadcast to neighbouring jurisdictions to be on the lookout for the silver pick-up.
Brown says queries on the truck showed that at a recent stop in Kamloops, a person driving the vehicle had been found in possession of a loaded handgun.
He says an officer in Clinton located the vehicle, however, the driver failed to stop and fled from police at a high rate of speed, after reportedly passing four vehicles, on the wrong side of the road of a blind corner putting both himself and the public in an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.
The driver failed to stop for officers in 100 Mile House when they attempted to pull him over by using their lights and sirens, where the suspect narrowly missed striking an officer, who was attempting to stop the truck in 150 Mile House.
Just outside of 150 Mile House an officer successfully deployed a spike belt, 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.
“The driver then exited the vehicle and ran down an embankment, in an attempt to escape, and after a brief foot pursuit appeared to be surrendering. However, he refused to comply with the officer’s commands to show his hands and a struggle ensued, with the officer attempting to pull the man’s hands from underneath him, in order to gain control and handcuff him,” says Brown.
“A second responding officer, who was aware the man could be armed and was not complying with the initial officer’s commands, utilized several strikes including one with his foot to rapidly gain control of the suspect and resolve the situation. The suspect was arrested without further incident and was found not to be in possession of a firearm.”
Brown says there is also video footage captured by a passing motorist as well as dashcam video from the lead pursuing police vehicle that captures the arrest of the driver that provides the full picture.
“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.”
The driver has been arrested and remains in custody on seven outstanding warrants for offences including, dangerous driving, flight from police, prohibited driving, possession of stolen property and three counts of breach, he is scheduled to appear in court in Williams Lake today (Oct. 26).
He says anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with more information in regards to this incident can contact Williams Lake RCMP at 250-392-6211.
