Arrest Video Claiming Police Brutality Sparks Controversy in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, MI – Police in Royal Oak have launched an internal investigation of a St. Patrick’s Day arrest captured on video that was posted on YouTube.

The video, reportedly shot by a 25-year-old friend of the man being placed under arrest, was posted by Harry Williby, described as “a global news, education, business and advertising channel with a strong emphasis on the law,” along with the description:

“Another case of police brutality in the city of Royal Oak. The man doesn't resist at all! The reason for his arrest remains unknown. It appears as if the officers wanted to rip a limb off of him!”

It shows at least four police officers arresting the man, eventually subduing him with a stun gun, and two others controlling a gathering crowd outside BlackFinn Ameripub on Main Street, where police had been called to respond to a bar fight.

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Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue told The Daily Tribune the video may depict “a sloppy arrest,” but he didn’t see “any malicious intent by the officers.”

“In looking at the totality of the circumstances it’s understandable that it was difficult for the officers to do what they had to do,” the police chief said.

He said the internal investigation is focusing on the techniques the officers used and their communication with one another in a chaotic crowd situation.

Mayor Jim Ellison told the newspaper that officials are withholding judgment on the video until the internal investigation is complete. “The video only shows what the poster wanted us to see,” he said. “There are a million different interpretations of it.”

» For more on this story, go to The Daily Tribune.