A Quebec legislator is asking for an investigation right into a video that reveals a Montreal police officer kneeling on the neck of a younger Black teen, his face mashed into the sidewalk, in a picture harking back to George Floyd’s final moments.
Frantz Benjamin, a Liberal member of the Quebec Nationwide Meeting who represents the Montreal using of Viau, says a number of constituents referred to as him in regards to the video. They say it evokes “collective trauma,” reminding them of Floyd telling Minneapolis law enforcement officials greater than 20 occasions that he could not breathe earlier than he died on Could 25, 2020.
The Montreal video was filmed by a passerby in entrance of a bus cease within the metropolis’s Villeray district on June 10.
Based on a spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), officers from Station 31 had been responding to a name from Georges-Vanier Excessive College a few struggle involving greater than a dozen younger folks from numerous faculties.
The video, which was obtained by Radio-Canada, is a few minute and a half lengthy and doesn’t present the occasions main as much as the bodily intervention.
It begins with two officers kneeling on a Black youth for about 15 seconds. They seem like wrestling his palms behind his again. One has his left knee on the teenager’s neck and face, and the opposite officer’s knee seems to be on {the teenager}’s decrease again.
The youth does not look like resisting or shifting in any means. He can’t be heard saying something.
Officers pin teen down
The 2 officers rise after about 15 seconds. The officer who had his knee on the youth’s neck stands briefly, adjusts the youth’s physique place, after which kneels with each legs on the teenager’s neck and again.
The officer stays in that place for an additional 37 seconds.
Whereas nonetheless pinning the teenager down, the officer searches a bag and palms an object to his colleague. That officer then seems to point out the thing to the digicam, saying the teenager was being arrested for having a stun gun.
Past what’s seen within the footage, it’s not clear how lengthy the officer was on the teenager’s neck, as a result of the video begins and ends with him restraining the teenager.
In a later interview, police advised Radio-Canada that two minors had been charged for carrying weapons, and an investigation is underway into the incident.
“If the usage of drive isn’t justified, the administration will take the required actions,” mentioned SPVM spokesperson Const. David Shane.
Shane urged warning when viewing such movies, because the digicam angle might be deceptive. Every time an officer makes use of drive, a report is crammed out and it will likely be reviewed, Shane mentioned.
Mayor desires solutions
Benjamin, the MNA, says he despatched a letter to the chief of police, Sylvain Caron, and is asking for an investigation into the officers’ actions.
“It is surprising,” he mentioned. “It is much more surprising once we see there was no resistance.”
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante can also be asking the SPVM to make clear what occurred.
“The pictures circulating are worrying. This investigation ought to make clear your entire intervention,” she mentioned in a press release to Radio-Canada.
“The pictures of the intervention as soon as once more reiterate the significance of implementing physique cameras, which we’re engaged on with our companions.”
Abdelhaq Sari, a metropolis councillor from the borough of Montréal-Nord and the safety critic for Ensemble Montréal, the official opposition at metropolis corridor, mentioned the video raises “critical questions.”
“An impartial investigation should be carried out to make clear this occasion,” mentioned Sari.
“This sort of arrest approach ought to solely be utilized in circumstances of imminent hazard. That is definitely not the case when the suspect is handcuffed.”
Kneeling on neck not in opposition to guidelines
Kneeling on a suspect’s neck isn’t prohibited by the SPVM, says Stéphane Wall, a former sergeant and coaching teacher. The approach is used to drive a suspect to give up, however it must be fast, he mentioned.
Wall mentioned as soon as the suspect is handcuffed, the knee ought to be moved extra towards the shoulders.
Sociologist Frédéric Boisrond, an impartial strategic advisor for the SPVM since final summer time, advised Radio-Canada he’s involved in regards to the brokers’ strategies and method.
“A youth handcuffed with one knee on the throat — that brings us again to relatively disturbing photographs. I did not count on to see that in Quebec in 2021,” mentioned Boisrond.
On Aug. 24, 2020, Ensemble Montréal proposed a movement calling for the top of any police tactic that obstructs a suspect’s respiration.
The movement mentioned these ways ought to solely be used as a final resort. The movement was adopted by Montreal metropolis council, however it was not binding, because the SPVM, like every police service in Quebec, follows guidelines set by the provincial authorities.
For extra tales in regards to the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales inside the Black group — try Being Black in Canada, a CBC challenge Black Canadians could be happy with. You’ll be able to learn extra tales right here.
