RCMP Arrest in Sheshatshiu, Labrador Under Review After Officers Seen Striking Man

A video appearing to show three RCMP officers striking and restraining a man during an arrest in Sheshatshiu, Labrador, has been referred to the Serious Incident Response Team for review.

The video was initially posted publicly on Facebook by the man’s girlfriend, Nerissa. It appears to show officers forcing the man to the ground, restraining him and repeatedly striking him during the arrest.

Nerissa said her son witnessed his father being taken into custody.

Nerissa told Breaking News Canada that she was the person who called police because her boyfriend was intoxicated, falling over and refusing to sleep. She said she expected officers to take him into custody temporarily so he could sober up.

I called them because my boyfriend was intoxicated and falling all over the place, and he didn’t want to sleep. So we called the cops for him to go into the drunk tank so I’d pick him up once he’d slept it off.

Nerissa said she did not expect the call for assistance to result in the level of force seen in the video.

She later provided Breaking News Canada with additional security footage recorded outside the home. In the video, the man can be heard grunting in apparent pain while the interaction with officers continues.

Nerissa alleges that officers continued striking him outside the home. The alleged strikes are not clearly visible throughout the security footage, but the audio captures sounds of an ongoing physical struggle.

A Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador docket dated September 2 identifies the man as Arrow Joachim Nui.

The docket shows Nui was held in custody and faces three charges: two assault-related charges involving peace officers and one charge of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

The court document does not provide a full account of what allegedly happened before or during the arrest. None of the charges has been proven in court.

VOCM reported that the arrest was referred to the Serious Incident Response Team after the video circulated widely online.

RCMP said they could not provide further information while that review was underway. Labrador District RCMP have also contacted Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini and Sheshatshiu Band Council Chief Eugene Hart to discuss the incident and hear their concerns.

Police said they would continue communicating directly with the community.

The Serious Incident Response Team’s review remains ongoing.