Police defend aggressive actions after Broadmeadows arrest caught on camera

Police have been captured on camera kneeling on a man who they allege was resisting arrest after punching an officer in the face in Melbourne’s north.

Police have defended their actions after a violent arrest in Broadmeadows was captured on camera on Tuesday afternoon.

Footage shows police officers kneeling on a man out the front of the Broadmeadows VicRoads office.

Police claim the man was resisting arrest and that they had to use capsicum spray on him before things escalated.

Police allege the man arrived at the Broadmeadows police station just before midday where he threw a rock at a marked police car, and then punched an officer in the face.

The 37-year-old then fled down the road to the VicRoads office where police caught up with him.

Earlier that day, the man had reportedly been smashing poker machines in Airport West and Gladstone Park.

Police say the officer who was punched in the face was treated at the scene by ambulance crews and is now fine.

The man, from Gladstone Park, has been arrested, though he has not yet been charged and is currently assisting with inquiries.

Originally published as Police defend aggressive actions after Broadmeadows arrest caught on camera