YMCA says unacceptable force used by Kirkland Police during teens arrest

The YMCA is calling for action against the Kirkland Police Department after the controversial arrest of a teen in September. Surveillance video shows the Sept. 5 arrest of a 14-year-old at the Kirkland Teen Union Building. Police say they arrested him after several calls about petty thefts in the area. The video shows the officer forcibly taking the teen down. The YMCA of Greater Seattle says the use of force was unacceptable, and that officers also pushed the center director and pointed a taser at another teen during the incident. The police officers behavior and the level of force were unacceptable and cannot be condoned anywhere in our community, especially in a safe place for teens, YMCA of Greater Seattle President and CEO Loria Yeadon said in a release. The YMCA had a community meeting Wednesday and called on the department to provide increased training to officers.