5 Quebec Police Officers Were Suspended After A Video Of A Forceful Arrest Went Viral

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While a video circulating social media networks of the violent arrest of 18-year-old Black youth Pacifique Niyokwizera has shaken the province, the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ) announced that five Quebec police officers have been suspended.

"Following the events that occurred on the night of November 26 to 27, 2021, and as part of our ongoing investigation, the management of the SPVQ wishes to communicate the decision to suspend 5 police officers involved in the events," the SPVQ wrote on its official Twitter account on November 30.

Subsequently, the SPVQ explained that another internal investigation "was initiated by the professional standards unit for an intervention in a licensed establishment in the Sainte-Foy area in the evening of November 26."

Sandra Dion, a spokesperson for the SPVQ, told Narcity that the events took place in the Italian brewery Portofino located in Quebec's Sainte-Foy area.

According to the Journal de Montréal, a customer was hit by police officers in the face and ribs, resulting in a concussion and a fractured nose for the victim.

"There are two events, therefore two internal investigations opened. The two events are not linked, it's just that of the five suspended police officers three police officers were present for both events," Dion said.

The investigation into the arrest of Pacifique Niyokwizera began on November 27 after the video was widely shared on social networks.

GoFundMe

A GoFundMe was recently set up for this young man. "Pacifique Niyokwizera was yet another victim of a system in which systemic racism is rampant," it reads. At the time of writing this article, over $21,000 had been raised for Niyokwizera.

The conclusion of the second internal investigation should reveal new information — this article will be updated as necessary.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.