Waukesha Police Responds To Video Posted Online Of Juveniles' Arrest

WAUKESHA, WI — After a video circulated online showing Waukesha police using force to arrest four juveniles, the department announced Friday an initial review found officers acted within policy.

The arrests happened Thursday after one of the juvenile's parents called around 5 p.m. expressing concerns ranging from possible drug use to theft and truancy, according to a news release from the Waukesha Police Department. The parents asked for officers to speak to four juveniles, claiming that one may have drugs, according to the news release. Police said that the juveniles ran away twice when officers had located them before they were eventually arrested.

By Friday morning, videos surfaced on Instagram and Twitter showing a brief struggle as police officers subdue multiple teenagers to the ground. One such video on Instagram gained over 1,400 comments.

Waukesha police said the videos circulating online only depict part of the incident. Further, an initial review from department supervisors determined that the officers were acting within department policy and law, according to the news release. Multiple police body cameras also captured and saved video from the incident, police said.

In the news release, police assert that "the officers responded to the suspect’s continued resistance with the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve and maintain control."

The case is being referred to the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office for review. Police noted that nobody was injured in the incidents.

Patch requested more information from Waukesha police.