The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be conducting an investigation into a video depicting an encounter between a municipal enforcement officer and a man.
The video was originally posted by MHA Lela Evans on Facebook. The video can be seen at this link. Warning: It contains footage that may be disturbing to some viewers.
It shows the officer with the man pressed up against the front of his patrol car.
The officer can be seen searching the man, then the suspect turns towards the officer and is thrown to the ground.
The NunatuKavut Community Council has released a statement on the situation. They call the video “disturbing,” saying the officer used “brute and unnecessary force in the recent arrest of an Inuk man.” They call the behaviour “outrageous” and a “troubling example of violence against indigenous people and the structural racism that exists in law enforcement in Canada.”
They are calling for an investigation into the incident, including a review of the officer’s body camera footage, if it exists. Further, they are calling for “appropriate and swift disciplinary action” to be taken by the town. The full statement from the NunatuKavut Community Council can be seen below.
In a statement to VOCM News, the Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Wally Andersen, says the town will not be commenting on the situation at this time but will be doing a full investigation.
Statement from NunatuKavut Community Council
NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement:
“It was extremely disturbing to watch the Facebook video of a Municipal Enforcement Officer with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay using brute and unnecessary force in the recent arrest of an Inuk man. This outrageous behaviour is another troubling example of violence against Indigenous people and the structural racism that exists in law enforcement in Canada.
We are calling for a thorough investigation into this incident, including an in-depth review of footage from the officer’s body camera, if it exists. We are calling for appropriate and swift disciplinary action to be taken by the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The NCC commends those who brought this video forward on social media. We are united in solidarity with those who stand against any and all forms of racism and violence.”
