Photo: Facebook

Is it a case of severe police brutality or an officer acting in self defence?

It depends on who you ask.

A 16-year-old Kelowna teen has levelled serious accusations against the Kelowna RCMP in several Facebook posts that have now been shared more than 600 times.

“We were held in custody for 15 hours not able to receive medical or mental evaluation,” claims

the teen in a post to Castanet on Facebook.

“These cops assaulted and arrested us under no probable cause. I was never told why I was under arrest.”

The boy posted photos of his injuries and claims on Facebook that more than 10 officers beat the two teenagers.

“I want everyone I know to know that Kelowna cops are brutal and cannot be trusted with keeping the peace,” he writes. “A licence to steal and beat.”

The Facebook posts contain dozens of comments from his social media "friends," also sharing their apparent distrust of the RCMP.

Despite the hundreds of shares on Facebook, Castanet has chosen not to identify the teen due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

Kelowna RCMP Supt. Nick Romanchuk says police are aware of the concerns raised online and they have conducted an internal review of the incident.

“Our review determined that an RCMP officer had made extensive efforts to properly identify and deal with two young men, the subjects of a suspicious persons complaint at a city parkade, as well as a potentially dangerous traffic related incident,” says Romanchuk who adds RCMP will also not identify the teen due to the YCJA.

He claims an RCMP officer attempted to arrest one of the two young men, later identified as a 16-year-old Kelowna teen, for obstructing a police officer.

He was also under arrest for causing a disturbance by being intoxicated in a public place.

Romanchuk claims the teen actively resisted arrest.

“During the officers' struggle to secure the youth in handcuffs, he allegedly lunged at the officers causing them both to fall to the ground. While attempting to secure the youth in handcuffs, a 19-year-old man, demanded that the officer let him go.

"The man stood over the officer, with his wooden longboard skateboard allegedly held over his head in a threatening manner. The officer repeatedly yelled at the man that the youth was under arrest and directed the man to stay back.

“During the officer’s struggle with the youth on the ground, the youth allegedly bit the officer’s hand, a bite which broke the skin and drew blood. The officer used a distraction blow to the youth to attempt to break his bite.

"The 19-year-old man then swung his longboard at the officer and missed. The youth continued to assault the officer by allegedly punching and kicking the officer in the head.”

At this point RCMP claim other officers arrived on scene and placed both teens under arrest.

“While being escorted to a police vehicle the youth allegedly kicked another officer in the chest,” says Romanchuk.

RCMP say both teens were transported to the RCMP detachment where the youth was provided with contact with his father, a legal-aid-duty lawyer and subsequently lodged in cells.

“The details of the incident were explained to the parent of the 16-year-old when he was released.”

Romanchuk says the 16-year-old had visible scrapes to his face, but did not require medical treatment. While the 19-year-old did not sustain any visible injuries.

The RCMP officer was provided treatment for his injuries by paramedics at the scene and at the hospital.

“Once sober, both subjects were later released from police custody, into the custody of a parent,” adds Romanchuk.

He says RCMP have put together a written report which is being submitted to Crown counsel for consideration of charges.

“As such, no further public comment can be provided at this time but we continue to remain available to the parents should they have any further questions or concerns,” says Romanchuk.

Castanet has made multiple attempts to reach the 16-year-old for further comment.