Vancouver police used excessive force, witness says

Another video of Vancouver police arresting a suspect has led to a complaint of excessive force.

A witness says he saw two police officers repeatedly punch and kick a suspect in Downtown Eastside on Tuesday night. Nathan Shubert-Harbison says he was horrified by the police officers' actions and felt compelled to start shooting a video, but only captured the last punch. 

"The first officer stood up and started kicking him with force several times and then kneeled down and started punching him," Shubert-Harbison told CBC News. 

He filed a complaint saying the the officers didn't need to punch or kick a man already on the ground.

But Vancouver police say a few seconds of amateur video doesn't tell the whole story.

Const. Brian Montague says the suspect in this case was wanted for robbery and has a lengthy record that includes assaulting a police officer. 

"The individual involved ran from police when we tried to arrest him. He fought with our officers so unfortunately there are cases where force is necessary," Montague said. 

This latest is the second video pointing to alleged violent police actions. Last week, YouTube video showed a Vancouver police sergeant breaking down a window when a driver who was pulled over refused to get out of his vehicle. 

Pivot Legal Society's executive director Katrina Pacey says police officers should wear body cameras and that would help reduce complaints of use of excessive force.

But until that happens, citizens with smartphones are better than nothing. 

"It sends a message to police that civilians care that they're watching."