Controversial Campus Arrest
London Police Service subsequently issued this media release:
On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, shortly after 5:00 pm, the UWO Campus Police responded to a report of a male who had barricaded himself in an office on an upper floor of the Social Science Building.
Campus Police officers attempted to apprehend the male but he was combative and resistant and assistance was required by other Campus Police officers and members of the London Police Service. The male was arrested and transported to University Hospital for assessment and later transported to the London Police Service Headquarters Detention Unit.
The 22 year old male is charged with several criminal offences and will make a court appearance today.
2nd London Police Service media release appended 2009/10/15 @ 03:00 p.m:
Now charged with mischief under $5000, assault peace officer, resist arrest and escape lawful custody is 22 year old Irnes ZELJKOVIC (male) of London.
This clip of the UWO Press Conference was appended 2009/10/15 @ 03:30 p.m:
Appended 2009/10/15 @ 04:30 p.m:
UWO law student and former police officer, Ryan Venables, has written a good article about the incident HERE.
© Fowler Media
Probably should have stopped resisting.
Too bad that it’s not that simple.
It’s not at all clear from the video, to me at least, that he was putting up any resistance. That’s not saying that he wasn’t. But the question remains, even if he was resisting, what’s a “reasonable” use of force? Was he armed with a knife or a gun? Had he already injured somebody? All that’s clear from the video, was the numbers of officers who descended upon him, and the force that was used.
The public concern that’s been raised is justified.
My biggest concern is that the we’re being directed to an article written by Ryan Venables who was fired from York Regional PS for assaulting a person in custody. I guess he’d have a unique perspective, anyway.
Hi Glen, welcome to FMBS. It’d have been more helpful if you’d provided a link to a document that supports the info that you posted. Nevertheless, I do appreciate your contribution. I’ll see what I can find out.
Okay, this link was pretty easy to find. I’m webcasting from City Hall this afternoon so it may be a while before I have the time to review it though. I guess that my immediate reaction is, even if the charges behind the dismissal are true, does that invalidate the information/opinion contained in Mr. Venable’s blog post? For instance, I think that the “use of force wheel” is helpful to the public’s understanding, don’t you?
Sure, it was helpful but I put no weight in his opinion.
FWIW, I provided Mr. Venables with a link to this post/comments, so he has the opportunity to speak up if he wishes to do so.