Video of VPD arrest at Whitecaps game has fans debating the officer's use of force

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      A video of a man arrested at a Whitecaps game at BC Place has sparked accusations of excessive use of force.

      “What did he do?" a man can be heard asking police during the incident. "That was aggressive force.”

      Two videos shared on Facebook appear to show a person of colour arguing with police before being wrestled to the ground. The altercation occurred in the concession ring at BC Place during a soccer match at BC Place last Saturday night (September 1).

      "What did he do?" one spectator asks another.

      "He did nothing," they reply.

      A private security guard appears in the video refuting that account, arguing that the individual recording the video was not present when the altercation began.

      Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Const. Jason Doucette, a spokesperson for the force, told Global News that the incident began when the man arrested in the video attempted to re-enter B.C. Place in contravention of the stadium's no-reentries policy.

      “He was cautioned at least three times that he had to leave the area because he was not allowed back in,” Doucette claimed. “Again, the man refused to comply so our officer took him by the arm to usher him away from the exit.

      “The man began to actively resist the officer and was eventually arrested with the assistance of additional officers for breach of the peace.”

      A Whitecaps fan's video of the Vancouver Police Department arresting a man on September 1 has sparked debates about the officer's use of force.
      Bob Mackin / Zach Copland

      The video was shared on a Whitecaps fan page on Facebook and people have continued to debate the officer's actions there.

      According to Global News, the 36-year-old man was released without the VPD recommending charges.

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