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UPDATE: VIDEOS - UWO plans independent review of recent violent arrest on campus
Western has enlisted the expertise of a lawyer and former Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police to undertake an independent review of the arrest of a student that raised concerns about how a campus safety incident was managed. On Oct. 14, at around 5:30 p.m., Irnes Zeljkovic, 22, was arrested and transported to University Hospital after six law enforcement officials, four campus police officers and two London Police Service members, appeared to struggle with the suspect in the hallway of the Social Sciences Centre. The subsequent video reveals 90 seconds of the violent arrest, and questions have been raised as to whether the arresting officers used excessive force when subduing the reportedly disoriented man. Western press coneference "Safety of all members of our campus community is a priority at Western," said Western President Amit Chakma. "Our goal in undertaking this review is to have an objective assessment of what occurred and determine if there is anything the university could do differently or better in the future." In addition, the YouTube video is the subject of a separate review being undertaken by London police, keeping with provincial standards and regulations. Chakma said Western is cooperating fully in that review. The review will be conducted by Gwen Boniface, who served as Commissioner of the O.P.P. from 1998 to 2006. "The incident at Western occurred on October 14, when a student, who appeared disoriented, confronted a number of individuals in the Social Science Centre, barricaded himself in an office, and was able to escape when campus police attempted to detain him. "Soon after, the student was apprehended by campus police and London police officers. said Western officials in an official statement. "A video of the officers attempting to restrain the student was posted on YouTube, attracting the attention of the national news media and thousands of viewers.," officials said. "From the day this incident happened, we said we would conduct a review to understand better the full context of the events of October 14th, of which only 90 seconds were shown on the video," said Chakma. "I have confidence in our Campus Community Police Service and its officers. I believe this review will contribute to our ongoing efforts to ensure a safe campus community." The independent review will look at policies and procedures, including: • Whether the situation was preventable • The training and resources available to Campus Community Police Service • Procedures for response to calls for assistance • Procedures for securing areas where an incident may be occurring • Coordination with other responders such as London Police Service Recommendations from the review will be made public, Western officials said. Zeljkovic was charged with mischief under $5,000, assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and escaping lawful custody. He had his first court appearance Oct. 15 police said. BEYOND THE ONIONS: Police brutality or necessary force? A lesson in taking things in context UPDATE: VIDEO - Suspect in violent UWO arrest had barricaded himself inside an office VIDEO: Violent UWO campus arrest caught on video |
| Great ...how much more biased and useless will this alleged investigation get.......About as useful as the SIU and the London Police Board.....The wise thing if Western really wanted to get to the bottom of this would have been to get an outside investigator with no ties to the Policing community in Ontario and who could be impartial and actual investigate....This is another Horse and Pony show for public appeasement much like the Expulsion threats from the Rowdy Students at Funshaw on the weekend..The lawsuits will be plentiful if they take any action until someone is actually convicted.Most the student body with an objective brain are not going to swallow the conclusions.Why even bother here...The potential for civil litigation would be better to review to get a better understanding. |
| By: Baphomet on 11/03/2009 |
| Cops investigating cops? An "investigation"? That's a joke, right? What an insult to freedom, justice, and democracy. |
| By: Squeakaroo on 11/04/2009 |
| I agree with Squeakaroo. |
| By: LondonCopsAreShady on 11/04/2009 |
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