Hamilton police officers get high praise after video of arrest goes viral

ABOVE: A cell phone video showing an arrest in Hamilton is bringing compliments for Hamilton’s police service. Mark Carcasole reports.

TORONTO – Thousands of emails and phone calls of support continue to pour into the Hamilton Police after a video posted on YouTube of an arrest made over the weekend went viral.

The video, which was shot in Hamilton last Sunday, shows two officers spending several minutes subduing and arresting a screaming woman.

The incident was recorded on a cell phone camera by an unknown bystander who called out the officers for their handling of the situation.

“She’s only a weak girl,” the man is heard saying. “You can’t do that. There’s no way you can do that.”

At one point in the video, the suspect complains about being hurt as they try to handcuff her.

Once the woman was in custody, one of the officers explained to the man recording the scene exactly what he was doing and why.

“Unfortunately, she decided to try and resist while I was placing her under arrest.”

Numerous commenters on YouTube praised the officers for the way the arrest was handled.

Since the incident, Hamilton Police have been receiving thousands of positive tweets, emails and phone calls.

“We’re all committed as Police officers to public safety. It’s not always easy but with support like this it is a reminder that you care as much as we do,” wrote Constable Steve Welton on the Hamilton Police’s Facebook page.

Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire also released a statement on Thursday praising the officers’ actions.

“I am impressed by the professionalism of our officers during this arrest and very proud,” said De Caire. “They maintained a calm response, using the appropriate use of force options during a stressful incident.”

The video has been viewed more than 700,000 times on YouTube.

-with files from The Canadian Press