SIU clears WRPS officers in take-down at Oktoberfest 2016
Posted Jan 31, 2018 02:39:15 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The SIU says three Regional Police officers acted reasonably when they used force to subdue a very large man during Oktoberfest 2016.
The Special Investigations Unit says the 6′ 3″, 270 pound man wound up with a concussion and other injuries.
This happened inside the Queensmount Arena in Kitchener.
The SIU says during an Oktoberfest event there, the 43-year old man was drinking, and repeatedly refused to leave an area meant only for volunteers and security guards.
He reportedly didn’t want to move because he had a great spot for watching a baseball game on one of the arena’s projector screens.
Police officers had to be called in, and the SIU says during the take-down, the suspect pushed and even lifted an officer off the ground before he was put in handcuffs.
One officer had to use what is described as a “quasi choke hold.”
A few days later the man’s injuries were diagnosed in hospital.
Acting Director of the SIU, Joseph Marino, says given the man’s size and aggression, the conduct of three police officers was justified.
