Peel Region police to investigate incident at Gravenhurst skate park involving OPP officer and a youth

Video shows youth falling to the ground

Peel Regional Police has been asked by Ontario Provincial Police to investigate an incident involving a Bracebridge OPP officer and a youth that was captured on video.

OPP said they became aware on Monday of a video posted to social media showing the interaction between the officer and a young person. The incident happened on Sunday at the skate park in Gravenhurst. Police said officers stopped to speak to a group of young people, none of whom were wearing masks or social distancing. When officers attempted to interact with the youths, there was a physical confrontation between one officer and one young person.

The video shows the youth falling to the ground after the officer appears to either pull the boy’s scooter away or he pushes him. Onlookers can be heard saying the person who fell is 12-years-old. Police have not revealed the person’s age.

The skate park is closed under the provincial Stay-at-Home order.

“To ensure transparency in this matter, I have requested that Chief Nishan Duraiappah assign members of the Peel Regional Police Service to conduct an investigation into this incident. We understand the concerns being expressed by members of the public, and I want to assure everyone that the Ontario Provincial Police holds its members to the highest levels of professionalism and accountability,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.

The officer involved in the incident has been reassigned to administrative duties until the investigation is completed.

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