The Independent Investigations Office will be investigating the actions of Prince George RCMP members who arrested two men found in an allegedly stolen pickup truck, after a video surfaced this week suggesting excessive force was used.
The move is being made at the request of the detachment and the director of police services, IIO said in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
The IIO is a civilian-based watchdog that investigates incidents of police-involved serious injuries and deaths for criminal wrongdoing. At the end of the investigation, the IIO will refer the file to Crown if any offence may have been committed or clear the officers through a public report.
Ben Levine, the lawyer representing Nathaniel Lazarus Basil, one of the men arrested, said his client "welcomes the involvement of the IIO and looks forward to cooperating in any way he can."
Earlier Friday, Jason LeBlond, the lawyer representing Cuyler Richard Aubichon, said he planned to contact both the IIO and the RCMP's civilian complaints commission, which can make recommendations on police practices.
"I am also forwarding correspondence to the RCMP directly, seeking that an investigation be completed, and charges of assault considered against the officers involved," LeBlond said in an e-mail.
Aubichon was behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen pickup truck that undercover RCMP officers stopped in a 2200-block Oak St. alley on Feb. 18 at about 6:30 a.m.
A video from a camera installed on a nearby home showed an RCMP officer using a service dog to pull Aubichon out of the truck and onto the ground before elbowing him in the head.
Three other officers were involved in the apprehension of Basil, who had got out on the other side. His arrest was largely out of the camera's view but it appeared one of the officers had stomped on him.
In a statement issued Friday, before the IIO said it was stepping in, Basil said: "I would like to applaud the courage of the young woman who filmed the events of 18 February 2016, which record the RCMP's unlawful assault upon me for reasons only known to them.
"It should concern everyone that she continues to fear retaliation for acting in the public's interest.
"Not only was I unlawfully assaulted, but in addition the RCMP officers involved reported to Crown counsel I resisted arrest. I now face criminal charges in that regard.
"Rest assured I have retained legal counsel and will access all legal processes available to ensure justice is done."
Both Aubichon and Basil have been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Aubichon has also been charged with flight from a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance.
Levine said his client will "definitely" plead not guilty to the charge of willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Basil has a lengthy criminal record that includes two convictions for willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer as well as a number of theft and stolen property-related convictions.
In September 2013, he was sentenced to two years and one day for four counts of break and enter.
He continues to face charges of theft over $5,000 and theft $5,000 or under from two other alleged incidents.
Aubichon's record includes two convictions for trafficking in a controlled substance, for which he was sentenced in 2014 to 57 days in jail.
Both remained in custody as of Friday.
The video, made public this week, can be viewed on Global News’ website online at: pgc.cc/1Ws0KcL.
