The Calgary Police Service recently made headlines after a video surfaced online showing the arrest of 25-year-old Christopher Barron. Barron has been charged with assaulting a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, and resisting arrest. In the video, up to four officers can be seen attempting to restrain Barron as he shouts that he can’t breathe. At one point, an officer is shown driving their knee into Barron’s head, neck, and shoulder area. Advocates, such as Adam Massiah from the United Black People Allyship, believe that the use of force was unnecessary and are calling for an investigation into the incident.
Adam Massiah, who has been in contact with Barron, revealed that Barron may require a neck brace as a result of the incident. The Calgary Police Service issued a statement acknowledging the video and stating that it is unfortunate that the situation escalated to the point where force had to be used. The statement also noted that the video only shows a small portion of the entire interaction and does not depict what led up to the use of force. According to the CPS, the initial encounter began with a patrol officer noticing an equipment violation on a vehicle in Castleridge. The driver of the vehicle allegedly refused to cooperate with the officer, leading to the escalation of the situation.
Tom Engel, the chair of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association policing committee, expressed concerns about the amount of force used during Barron’s arrest. He highlighted the fact that Barron repeatedly stated that he couldn’t breathe, indicating a potential danger. However, Mount Royal University criminal justice professor Doug King stated that he did not see anything inappropriate in the video. Despite this, advocates are still calling for an investigation into the incident and plan to file a complaint with the police service. They feel that the CPS response to the video lacked empathy and understanding and that Barron was unjustly targeted and attacked by the officers.
The Calgary Police Service defended its officers’ actions, stating that the entire interaction was captured on officer-worn body cameras. They encouraged individuals who feel they have been involved in an inappropriate encounter with the police to contact the Professional Standards Section. Massiah expressed disappointment in the incident, stating that it hinders the progress and relationships that are being built between the CPS and the black community in Calgary. Despite the advice of his lawyer, Barron declined an interview but requested that his face not be blurred in the video.
In conclusion, the arrest of Christopher Barron by the Calgary Police Service has sparked controversy and calls for an investigation into the use of force by the officers involved. Advocates believe that the force used was unnecessary and that Barron was unfairly targeted and attacked by the CPS officers. The CPS defended their actions, stating that the entire interaction was captured on body cameras and encouraging those involved in inappropriate encounters to come forward. The incident has strained relationships between the CPS and the black community in Calgary, with advocates expressing disappointment in the response to the video. The outcome of the investigation and the impact on future interactions between the CPS and minority communities remains to be seen.
