Four Quebec police officers to be charged after violent arrest caught on video

TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. – Four police officers face criminal charges following the violent arrest of an armed-robbery suspect that was caught on video.

The four Trois-Rivieres municipal officers were arrested and released under a promise to appear in court on May 31.

A surveillance video showed four people beating a suspect in a parking lot on Feb. 2. The incident attracted international attention once the video hit the Internet.

Police officers Andre St-Amant, Barbara Provencher, Dominic Pronovost and Kaven Deslauriers have already been suspended with pay since the video was made public and went viral.

The four officers face seven charges, including assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, negligent use of a firearm, fabricating police reports and obstruction of justice.

There are also charges against the original suspect, Alexis Vadeboncoeur, who is accused of armed robbery at a pharmacy.

The video shows a young man dropping a weapon and laying on the ground, face down. Police officers arrive running, and level a flurry of punches and kicks.

Vadeboncoeur alleges he was struck in the head and the genitals.

Trois-Rivieres municipal council is expected to receive the results of an internal investigation between now and June 3 to determine whether the officers’ legal fees will be covered by the city.

The video went viral and was picked up internationally, notably on CNN.

(Cogeco)