RCMP member under investigation for use of force

WATCH ABOVE: ASIRT investigates use of force by RCMP member.

EDMONTON — Alberta’s police watchdog is investigating after a video of a violent arrest in Whitehorse, Yukon went viral.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) says it is looking into the circumstances surrounding the use of force by an RCMP officer in the arrest of a man on April 5.

A video of the arrest was taken and posted on Facebook. Since it was posted on April 5, the video has been shared nearly 16,000 times and viewed more than 865,000 times.

In the video, an RCMP member can be seen punching a man in the face as he makes the arrest. At this time it’s not known why police were called to the man’s residence.

ASIRT says the RCMP initially began the investigation into the incident, but ASIRT has since taken the lead. The decision was made because “the particular incident required a higher level of engagement to ensure independence and objectivity,” according to ASIRT.

“In addition to taking conduct of the investigation, ASIRT, the Yukon government and the RCMP are working towards the appointment of a community liaison to facilitate the link between the community, the affected person and as an impartial observer to the investigation,” a news release from ASIRT stated.

Global News has reached out to the RCMP for comment on the incident.

ASIRT investigates incidents or complaints that involve serious injury or death of any person, and matters of a serious or sensitive nature, that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.