Ottawa police clear RCMP officer seen hitting naked Nunavut prisoner on video

An external investigation has determined that aNunavut RCMPofficedid not use excessive forcein an incident captured on video that appears toshowthe officer hitting anaked prisoner in the head in an RCMP cell.

Eetooloo Ejetsiak's lawyer entered the video as evidence in court in February 2015 and laterprovided the video toCBC.

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"The independent investigation in this case concluded that the member involved was acting within the scope of his duties and did not exceed the use of force necessary to control an aggressive and assaultive prisoner," states anRCMPrelease.

"Police work is inherently challenging and police officers, while well trained, often have to make quick decisions based on the situations they are faced with," states the release.

The investigation was referred to theOttawa PoliceService in order to maintain impartiality.

The principalofficer who was being investigated has since moved to another detachment.

Video showsEjetsiakbeing throwninto the cell byRCMP

Ejetsiakwas arrested in Iqaluit on Jan. 2, 2015 for causing a disturbance. RCMP placed him in the cell just after 8 p.m.

The nine-minute long videobegins with Ejetsiak being throwninto the cell by RCMP officers, with his pants around his ankles.

Later, an officer with a Taserenters the cell, along with two other officers, who remove his clothing.As the officersbegin to leave the cell,Ejetsiakgets up and starts walking towards them. One officer pushes him back, andEjetsiakkicks at him.

The officergrabs him by the wrist and appears to hithim in the head. He pushesEjetsiakback onto the bench, then to the floor.

After the officers leave,Ejetsiakcrouches on the floor, almost motionless,as a pool of what appears to be blood forms under his face.

At the time the video was made public,RCMP said it was taken out of context.

They saidEjetsiak acted as if he might be a danger to himself.

Police also alleged Ejetsiak was agitated and appeared as if he might assault the officers.

Today, the RCMPwill not elaborate on those comments.