Privacy commissioner recommends RPS provide surveillance videos to man whose arm was broken during arrest

The Saskatchewan privacy commissioner says Regina Police Service (RPS) should hand over surveillance videos of a person being arrested last October.

The person, or applicant, said officers broke his arm while arresting him in the lobby of the police station. Police say they believe the then-51-year-old man broke a window to enter the building. 

On April 30, the Regina Police Service (RPS) received an access to information request from the applicant.

"I require a copy of the video of my arrest.… Where my arm was broken by one of the arresting officers as I was already on the ground. And now I have a permanent problem with my arm," he said.

The person said he only wants the videos of him being arrested in the main lobby, which is a public space.

The RPS has previously refused to hand over the videos to the applicant, saying it's a security issue.

It withheld a total of 20 videos he appears on, "pursuant to the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP)," according to privacy commissioner's Ronald J. Kruzeniski's report.

The privacy act states that a "head" may refuse to give access to a record, if the release of it would: "reveal the security arrangements of particular vehicles, buildings or other structures or systems, including computer or communication systems, or methods employed to protect those vehicles, buildings, structures or systems."

But the privacy commissioner said he thinks eight of the videos that show the man being arrested in the lobby could be released without a risk.

"While the disclosure of the eight videos to the applicant would reveal the general area in which one camera is located, it does not reveal other areas in which cameras are located. Nor would it reveal how the cameras are organized, operated, or utilized," Kruzeniski said in his report.

"I recommend that RPS release the eight videos of the lobby to the applicant within 30 days of issuance of this report."

The commissioner's report is dated Oct. 15.

In a statement to CBC on Thursday, the RPS said it is still reviewing the recommendations and is unable to provide further comment at this time.