A man was forcefully detained by a group of eight police officers on his doorstep, leading to him being thrown to the ground and handcuffed. The Edinburgh resident filed a complaint against Police Scotland, alleging that he sustained bruises during a ‘mental health check’ incident while taking out his trash recently.
Gabriels Ochnolichs encountered two officers outside his residence in Muirhouse after his social worker expressed concerns about his well-being, prompting the police to visit his home. However, the situation escalated, with the 21-year-old accusing the officers of using aggressive tactics.
Video footage captured by his mother shows an officer grabbing Gabriels by the neck before he was restrained and handcuffed on the ground. Subsequent footage reveals around eight officers surrounding him, with Gabriels on the floor restrained at the legs. He has since lodged a complaint with Police Scotland regarding the treatment he received during the incident that occurred on January 8 at 4:20 pm.
Speaking to EdinburghLive about the ordeal, Gabriels clarified, “I was detained by Police Scotland under mental health powers, but it was a misunderstanding.” He explained that his phone had died, preventing his social worker from contacting him, which led to concerns. Despite his mother informing the officers that he was alright, they proceeded to restrain him without clarification or resistance on his part.
Gabriels recounted being forcefully restrained, with an officer putting pressure on his neck, causing breathing difficulties. He expressed distress and confusion over the situation, stating that his family witnessed the incident unfold. Furthermore, he highlighted the excessive use of force by the police and criticized their handling of the welfare check.
After being escorted to a police van, the restraints were removed, and Gabriels challenged the officers regarding their actions. He expressed frustration over the impact on his reputation within his community and emphasized the need for a more respectful approach from law enforcement during such encounters.
In response to the complaint, a spokesperson for Police Scotland stated, “A complaint has been received by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department and is currently under assessment.”
