To the editor:

Like most people, when I was told of Zeljkovic’s arrest, I immediately made the assumption that the police probably did use excessive force. But then I did something unthinkable — I actually watched the video and formed my own opinion.

Evidently, considering there has been protesting over the event, some people have not yet bothered to do this.

I am as ready to criticize officers who abuse their power as the next person, but this incident requires a closer look. Admittedly, at first glance, the video does appear to show officers being excessive, but after watching it a few times and examining what was going on, it is clear their actions were justified.

At the beginning of the video it is plainly obvious the individual is resisting arrest — at some points he is attempting to stand up while the officers are trying to put cuffs on him. Of course, there is no debating the officers were punching and kicking him, but what do you propose they do when someone is resisting arrest and posing a risk to other students? Should they ask him nicely to put his hands behind his back? Clearly that wasn’t an option.

The claim that the force was excessive seems to rest on the assumption the officers were trying to hurt him. Of course, this begs the question: why would officers beat a student in the middle of the Social Science Centre while people are watching? There is a simple answer to this question: it was necessary. The officers were doing their job, protecting the individual from himself and from harming others.

I implore anyone who reads this to watch the video carefully and objectively, without an inherent anti-establishment mindset. Lastly, please stop protesting — it makes our student body look misinformed and ignorant.

—Justin Kinley

Social Science I