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Abbotsford, B.C. police reviewing arrest after officer filmed punching man

Click to play video: 'Abbotsford police, watchdog investigating video of officer punching man during arrest'
Abbotsford police, watchdog investigating video of officer punching man during arrest
The Abbotsford Police Department's Professional Standards Section and the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner are probing an incident captured on camera last weekend. An officer was seen punching a man twice in the face during an arrest outside the Offspring concert at the Abbotsford Centre – Nov 28, 2022

Abbotsford police and a police watchdog have launched reviews of an arrest on Saturday in which an officer was filmed punching a suspect in the face.

The incident happened as people were leaving a performance by The Offspring at the Abbotsford Centre.

Read more: Watchdog orders use of force probe into transit police arrest at SkyTrain station

In a media release, police said they were “dealing with a member of the public” when an unrelated person approached and started to interfere with the officers’ investigation.

Click to play video: 'B.C. RCMP officers cleared of using excessive force'
B.C. RCMP officers cleared of using excessive force

“During this time, the man ignored police direction to disengage, but he continued. As a result of the man’s actions, police advised him that he was under arrest for obstruction,” Abbotsford police said.

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“During the arrest, the man continued to be non-compliant, resulting in the officer using force on him, striking him twice in the face before taking him into custody and placing him in handcuffs.”

Read more: 2 B.C. RCMP officers acquitted of assault over excessive force allegations

The incident was captured on camera and has been circulating on social media.

Abbotsford police said its Professional Standards Section was reviewing the incident, and that it had notified the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC).

The OPCC confirmed that it was ordering a Police Act investigation into the incident.

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