Investigation under way after video appears to show OPP officer shoving teenager

Ontario Provincial Police have commissioned an investigation with the help of Peel investigators after a video surfaced of an OPP officer shoving a teenager at a skate park in Gravenhurst.

Provincial officers say it became aware of a video on April 19th that showed a member of Bracebridge OPP interacting with the teenager.

The incident happened a day prior, on April 18th.

In a news release, OPP says responding officers stopped to speak to a group of young people, alleging that none of whom were wearing masks or social distancing.

The officers attempted to “interact with the youths” which led to a physical confrontation between one officer and one young person.

The skate park where the incident happened is currently closed as part of Ontario’s stay-at-home order.

The officer involved has been reassigned to administrative duties for the duration of the investigation.

“To ensure transparency in this matter, I have requested that Chief Nishan Duraiappah assign members of the Peel Regional Police Service to conduct an investigation into this incident,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.

“We understand the concerns being expressed by members of the public, and I want to assure everyone that the Ontario Provincial Police holds its members to highest levels of professionalism and accountability.”

Anyone that witnessed the incident is being asked to come forward.