New footage has surfaced depicting the moments following an arrest in Adelaide, during which a man became “unresponsive”. Authorities suggest that the officers involved acted appropriately thus far in their ongoing investigation. The man’s partner has accused the police of using excessive force, claiming they threw him to the ground and knelt on his neck, which she asserts caused him to lose consciousness.
The police assert they intervened after witnessing the man assaulting a woman and that he resisted arrest violently. Witness Bradley Volraat, who recorded the incident, described the scene as chaotic and expressed concern for the man’s wellbeing. He noted that five officers were trying to restrain the man, who was yelling and moving, but the screams ceased after a couple of minutes.
Currently, none of the officers involved have been suspended, as an investigation is underway. Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia indicated that a wealth of evidence needs to be gathered, including body-worn camera footage from the officers and any CCTV from nearby businesses or residences along Payneham Road. While he has reviewed some footage and feels reasonably secure in the actions taken by one officer, he emphasised that this perspective is just a fragment of the overall situation.
At present, the arrested man remains in a critical condition at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with his partner by his side, reporting that he is unable to breathe independently. The community is watching closely as the investigation unfolds.