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TORONTO – Toronto Police officers took to Twitter Friday afternoon to respond to allegations of police brutality that stemmed from a photo taken in September 2013 showing a police takedown in Kensington Market.

The photo posted to Twitter on September 8, 2013 showed three police officers standing over a man lying on the ground.

One of the police officers has his foot on the man’s head, while another has his fist in the area of the man’s groin and his right leg holding down the man’s knee.

https://twitter.com/occbaystreet/status/509139104047837184/

The incident was never reported to police and the Special Investigations Unit never investigated.

But police Constable Victor Kwong took to Twitter Friday to explain what happened:

In full disclosure, this was pic brought to our attn: http://t.co/1lVmGx80iG , & this was convo: http://t.co/DxyD0Vt4Jg ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

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We take abuse of power seriously because this ruins all the good we do, & trust is lost like the bad apple saying goes. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

In this pic, bike cop is striking the person on the ground, one stepping on head & holding him, another is standing to side. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

This pic was taken around 7:11 pm, on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, in an alleyway behind Baldwin, near 147. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

But the incident actually started just before 7 p.m., an entire division away. Kensington Market is D14, started in D52. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

PS. No, account not hacked. It's a fresh start on listening, learning, & working together in a wickedly awesome City. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

PPS, the tweets are slow coming because I'm tweeting between my regular duties. Pls bear with me. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

The incident started when the person in the picture walked into a store and stole from the merchant shortly before 7 p.m. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

A man saw this and tried to intervene. He was pushed away by the alleged thief. A woman who also saw this, grabbed onto him. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

The person repeated smashed the woman's hand into the wall in order to break free. A third person called 9-1-1. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

The 1st cop got to the scene quickly and saw the person running away. Cop gave chase. Called for backup. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

The foot chase continued into Kensington Market, into the laneway you see in the pic. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

He was caught because he wasn't able to open the rear door of whatever that address is. He was ordered to stop. He didn't. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

He continued to fight, even w/ 1 handcuff on. 1 cuff is the more dangerous than none. "Metal hook" can injure him & cop. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

PS. For those who say they can't follow convo, search the #FullScoop, or just click on our Twitter feed to watch. ^vk — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

The bike cop tried to get his second arm behind his back to cuff to the first one, but he kept resisting. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

We are trained to strike at muscle groups in order to gain compliance when arrest is resisted. Think charlie horse. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

When you get a sharp pain (charlie horse) it can take you off your feet despite need to stand. Intention of strike is same. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

Intention is to strike the arm/forearm for the brief moment he loses control so that his hand can be brought back to cuff. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

This is the point where the photo was taken. http://t.co/6DPtgAD6Sj ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

Although suggested that bike cop was punching "below the belt," this is not the intention. He was striking a moving body. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

I can't say for sure one never landed "below the belt," but I'll explain something later chronologically. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

According to Use of Force model as approved by people of Ontario, we have to work our force up so as not to be excessive. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

It would have been excessive to jump to another force (given the situation) immediately (baton, gun, etc.) ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

In fact, it might be seen as excessive if that 3rd cop piled on. It might, in fact, have cause more injury. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

But he still refused to comply with Presence, Communication, and Physical force. So he was pepper sprayed. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

This use of force was effective. He was cuffed, and Paramedics were called to render assistance to the spraying. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

After being checked out by Paramedics, he was taken back to 52. Now getting back to the "below the belt" punch… ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

When someone is "booked" they are asked if they received any injuries prior, during, and after arrest. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

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He advised the Staff Sergeant, on camera, of other injuries, but nothing "below the belt." ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

FYI, he was charged w/ Theft Under for stealing, Assault w/ Intent to Resist Arrest against the woman, & previous Warrants ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

We don't expect anyone to like our actions. We only hope that people see there's more to a story than one picture. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014

A picture may paint a 1000 words… but only of that one moment in time. ^vk #FullScoop — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 26, 2014