LAURIE WEIR
Two Smiths Falls police officers have been placed on administrative duties and an outside police service has been called in to investigate following the circulation of a video showing the forceful arrest of a female on June 7.
The video, widely shared on social media, appears to show a barefoot 29-year-old female being pulled from the back seat of a cruiser on Main Street East around 11 p.m. The female, who was already in handcuffs, is heard shouting profanities and accusing officers of striking her in the face with a flashlight. She is then restrained on the pavement by one officer while another stands nearby.
Earlier that evening, Smiths Falls Police had responded to a separate call at a Lombard Street residence involving the same female, who allegedly uttered threats and assaulted another person. Police say that following the second incident at a local business, where a table was reportedly thrown and damaged, the female was arrested for causing a disturbance and mischief.
Following her arrest, police allege the female spit and kicked through an opening in the cruiser’s plexiglass partition. Police said she was assessed by EMS but refused treatment.
Smiths Falls Police Service confirmed the female is facing multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of assaulting a peace officer
- Two counts of mischief under $5,000
- Causing a disturbance
- Uttering threats
- Two counts of failing to comply with a probation order
She is being held in custody until a second bail hearing on June 11. The first took place Monday in Perth.
In a statement issued Monday, Chief of Police Jody Empey acknowledged the public concern raised by the circulating video and confirmed that the service has initiated a formal conflict of interest assessment, in line with Ontario Regulation 401/23.
“Regardless of any measure put in place to ensure impartiality, it would be impossible to guarantee that an informed and reasonable person would believe that a member of our service who must take action or make a decision in the situation could do so impartially,” Empey stated.
As a result, the matter has been deemed an “institutional conflict” and is being referred to another police service for independent investigation. The two involved officers have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome.
Deputy Chief Kettyle has been appointed as the service’s liaison officer for the duration of the investigation.
Police are encouraging anyone with further information or related concerns to contact the service at 613-283-0357 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Formal complaints can also be submitted to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency at leca.ca.
Chief Empey stated she would not be commenting further until the investigation is complete.
The charges against the female have not been proven in court.
RELATED: Woman facing multiple charges after police respond to two separate incidents in Smiths Falls
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bpRE6BJaUo
