Alleged police beating probed
Lethbridge force to investigate man’s claims
Allegations by a man that he was severely beaten for no reason by Lethbridge Police while jogging late at night are being investigated by the force.
Lethbridge resident Alex Hamilton alleged in a Facebook post that he was assaulted and manhandled by four officers while about five others were present early Wednesday morning.
“It should be noted that the LPS does not usually initiate investigations based solely on comments that are posted on social media as they do not meet requirements of a formal complaint under the Police Act,” stated a news release issued by the police service.
“However, in this particular case as the comments allege misconduct by numerous officers, the circumstances are being viewed as unique and an investigation has been deemed necessary in the public interest.”
In a video that Hamilton said he made soon after the incident, he displayed bruises and bloody gashes to his face and legs, claimed injuries to his back and said he may have a concussion.
Hamilton said he was jogging down Whoop-Up Drive in the early morning with earphones on when he was accosted by police, who pulled up in five vehicles.
“Apparently, I can’t run in the middle of the night in the middle of the road on Whoop-Up Drive,” he said in the video.
“I’ll tell you why cops get a negative rap — asphalt to my face.”
Hamilton, 23, said he was thrown to the ground without provocation, cuffed and hauled into a police cruiser.
“When I saw the police, I did absolutely nothing, didn’t even say a word, and a cop attacked me while I stood there,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Of course, I am not going to resist a cop, but he threw my head to the pavement while punching me in the stomach.”
The man said when he dropped the names of police officers he knew, the cops at the scene apologized and released him.
He also said he was told police took the action because they falsely thought he was suicidal.
“They tried to say I was on my way to jump off the bridge ... but even if it were true, what’s the explanation for the assault?” he said.
A threat by police to fine him $500 for stunting was reduced to a $70 ticket for walking on the road, said Hamilton.
Lethbridge Police said they were “seeking out the male who posted the allegations on video so they can be fully investigated.”
But in his posts, Hamilton said he won’t speak to members of the force, partly out of fear.
“I don’t feel safe saying much anymore ... it’s very difficult to know who to trust,” he wrote, adding some of the officers weren’t wearing name tags.
“If it’s justice that people would like to see me get, I don’t think I could possibly get that either.”
But on Thursday, Hamilton said he met with police internal investigators and plans to lodge a formal complaint on the weekend.
The force said it takes the matter seriously, adding its chief has ordered the investigation.