Peel Police in Canada clarified on Thursday that an officer involved in a confrontation during an alleged Khalistani attack at Brampton’s Hindu Mandir acted within the scope of his duties and was not at fault.
The incident occurred during a protest outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 4, where a large crowd gathered in solidarity after a pro-Khalistani group allegedly disrupted a consular event. Video footage from the scene appeared to show a Peel Police officer engaging in a physical altercation, sparking concerns about the use of force.
The police explained that the officer had acted to disarm an individual who refused to surrender a weapon and became confrontational. They shared bodycam footage, stating that the officer’s actions were necessary for public safety as tensions escalated during the protest. The footage showed that the officer had identified the protester holding a weapon before the individual retreated into the crowd and began resisting the officer’s attempts to seize the weapon.
According to Constable Tyler Bell-Morena, the officer’s body-worn camera footage, which was reviewed, provided context to the incident. “What the video doesn’t show is that the officer was attempting to disarm a protester, who then retreated into the crowd and physically resisted,” Bell-Morena explained.
Peel Police acknowledged that the video raised concerns within the community but emphasized that the officer was acting within the lawful execution of his duties. The department also reassured the public that it takes all complaints about officer conduct seriously and had conducted a thorough review of the situation.
The altercation occurred amid a protest where Khalistani supporters allegedly assaulted individuals with sticks, an event condemned by both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.