The video, posted to Facebook and YouTube has garnered thousands of views.
Video and caption on video from YouTube.
It shows an officer telling a man to turn around and put his hands behind his back several times.
The man in the video is seen to be making a writing motion to the officer who responds with "I am not going to write it for you."
Halton police say the suspect is known to them and the arresting officer had dealt with him before effectively communicating with him without the use of sign language.
The statment adds "Once in custody the male was provided with an opportunity to communicate with an officer familiar with American Sign Language to explain the situation prior to the arrival of an ASL Certified Interpreter
Police were responding to a reported theft of numerous itesm from a business.
The man was charged with theft and held for a bail hearing.
No charge has been proven in court.
With files from InsideHalton.com