Achi news desk-
A video of a forceful arrest on a TTC subway train circulating on social media is leading to questions about the need for such a serious response.
Toronto police say they are aware of the video and that the “Professional Standards Unit is investigating.”
The video begins with a man sitting and shouting as several officers stand by. Seconds later, the officers appear to drag the man from his seat to the floor. The video shows one person kicking the suspect at least three times.
“To be honest, if you saw any group of people like this beating on one person, we would call that a gang attack. That’s basically what happened. This man was attacked by a number of uniformed policemen in broad daylight,” said Lorraine Lam, community outreach and crisis worker.
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Lam questions the actions of the officers and the need for such a violent response.
Toronto police told Global News on March 26, “at approximately 11 am, police were called to the Eglinton West subway station for an ‘unknown disturbance’. Several people called 911 after a man allegedly assaulted a woman on the train and stole her phone.”
The individual was charged with one count of theft and three counts of failing to comply with probation.
“There is no justification for how the police responded to that. Also, I didn’t see them mention anything about, ‘Hey, we’re here because we heard you stole a phone. Can we have the phone?’ Did they get the phone back? Is this how you try to get your phone back after someone steals something?’” Lam asked.
Police say the victim of the alleged assault did not suffer any injuries.
Lam wondered if the man who was arrested was injured.
“I have serious concerns about that individual. Are they right? Do they have lawyers speaking for them and advocating for their rights? Do they get injuries from being kicked by like five police officers wearing steel toed boots?”
Global News contacted the TTC for comment, but has not yet received a response.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
