Peel Regional Police have released body camera footage from a protest outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and say a review of the incident found the officer involved acted lawfully.
The demonstration earlier this month drew roughly 30 participants and ended with five arrests. An off-duty Peel police sergeant, Harinder Sohi, who took part in the protest was also suspended.
Footage that circulated widely after the protest showed an on-duty officer appearing to charge toward a protester on the temple grounds, prompting questions about his conduct and a police review. In the video shared with media, two groups of demonstrators — one waving pro-Khalistan flags and the other pro-India flags — stood separated by police at the temple gates. The officer is seen breaking away from his colleagues, entering the grounds and engaging in a physical altercation with an individual.
On Thursday, Peel police released the body camera footage, which they say provides additional context. According to the service's investigation, the officer was attempting to disarm an individual who was holding a wooden stick, had refused to give it up and became confrontational.
During the protest, tensions escalated, posing a threat to public safety,
For the safety of all present, officers determined it was necessary to seize items that could potentially be used as weapons.
The body camera footage shows the officer approaching the individual and trying to take the wooden stick from him. A brief scuffle followed before the object was secured, after which police began dispersing the crowd and further separating the two groups of demonstrators.
Peel Regional Police understands the community's concerns regarding the video and takes all complaints about officer conduct seriously,
A thorough review of the incident concluded the officer's actions were within the lawful execution of their duties.
Those statements came from Peel Regional Police, according to GTAChronicle.com.
Community leaders call for calm
In the aftermath of the protest, leaders from both the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Ontario Gurdwara Committee stressed that the confrontation does not reflect tensions between Sikh and Hindu communities. They called for calm and unity, saying no one should feel unsafe at their place of worship.
No one should feel unsafe in or around their places of worship.
Peel police have since formed a strategic investigative team to continue probing the events of that day. Anyone with relevant information is being asked to contact 12 Division in Mississauga at 905-453-2121 ext. 1233, or 21 Division in Brampton at 905-453-2121 ext. 2133.
