A YouTube posting of a Toronto police officer arresting a student inside Northern Secondary School has tongues wagging.
As of Wednesday morning there were more than 500 comments on the video titled 'Student Arrested At Northern Secondary School For No Reason'.
The 3:30-minute clip, captured on another student's cellphone, shows Const. Ali Moosvi restraining an uncooperative student on Friday. Oct. 2.
Toronto Police Services spokesperson Const. Wendy Drummond said the situation between the 16-year-old student and Const. Moosvi escalated when the accused ran from the officer after he asked for identification.
The school resource officer sustained minor injuries during the arrest and subsequently the young offender, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with assault with intent to resist arrest. He was released shortly afterwards to his guardians with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
Drummond said that Const. Moosvi behaved appropriately during a difficult situation and that his actions were justified because it was a question of student safety.
"Anyone watching (the YouTube video) doesn't take long to realize the officer exercised great restraint," she said, adding that Const. Moosvi is both well-liked and has been well-received at the north Toronto high school since his posting there this school year.
"It was a situation that could have been avoided."
Drummond said the Toronto Police Service's year-old program to install police officers in schools aims to both ensure student safety as well as build bridges between the police and the community.
Trustee Josh Matlow called the situation a case of a student testing the limits of someone in authority.
"People will spin this however they want but it's an isolated incident with a student acting up. It was just a student misbehaving and an adult trying to control the behaviour," he said, adding that the situation wouldn't be in the news if the adult in question wasn't a police officer.
"Basically (the young offender) acted badly. Finally Ali had to detain him."
Matlow said the student will also face disciplinary measures from the school.
"I hope this student learns from this experience," he added.
Matlow said this situation demonstrates there is still obvious mistrust between some youth and some police in this city. He said having police officers stationed in schools should be an opportunity for youth and the police to learn more about each other.
Visit YouTube to view the incident. Attention parents: Some scenes and use of language in the video may not be suitable for young children.