Peel Police have released body camera footage from a protest outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton earlier this month, and say the footage shows an officer lawfully disarming a protester.
In a news release issued Thursday, police said the body camera footage was released after another video previously posted on social media showed an altercation between an officer and a protester at the Nov. 3 protest.
Videos circulating on social media show protesters holding banners supporting Khalistan, proposal of an independent Sikh homeland in northern Indiaand clashed with other people, including some holding Indian national flags.
“Peel Regional Police understands that the video has caused concern in the community,” the statement said. “We take all complaints regarding officer conduct seriously and have conducted a review of the incident.”
Investigators said that public safety was a concern during the protests, so officers decided to confiscate any items that could be used as weapons.
“After an investigation, it was determined that the officer depicted in the video was attempting to disarm a person who refused to surrender his weapon and was being confrontational, and was therefore acting in the lawful performance of his duties,” the statement read.
Several people have been arrested and charged following the incident.