Nursing student sues RCMP officer

The lawyer for a UBC Okanagan nursing student suing an RCMP officer over her treatment during a wellness check has released surveillance video showing the officer stepping on her head.

The video also shows the officer dragging the woman face-first down a carpeted hallway after her boyfriend called emergency services in January to request a health check.

The suit alleges Mona Wang suffered cuts, bruising and a swollen eye as well as emotional trauma.

The suit names the Corporal Lacey Browning, the federal Attorney General and B.C.’s Solicitor General but they say the officer used no more force than was reasonable and necessary.

A statement of defence says the officer found Wang on the floor with a box cutter knife in her hand and empty bottles of acetaminophen, melatonin and wine nearby and that she used no more force than was reasonable and necessary.

Watch a nursing student dragged down the hall while handcuffed, hair pulled, and take a foot to the head by Canadian police. pic.twitter.com/vE85TukXcE

— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) June 23, 2020

The acting officer in charge of Kelowna RCMP says the officer involved has been placed on administrative duties.

Insp. Laura Livingstone also said in a statement an internal code of conduct and criminal investigation are ongoing into the incident which took place in January.

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Statement from the Acting OIC of Kelowna RCMP – Update on concerns raised by the 2020 Kelowna incident

I wanted to ensure that everyone was aware that we understand and respect the concerns raised by the recent release of video connected with a January 2020 Kelowna file.

I will have to limit my response accordingly as the matter is subject of an ongoing civil litigation proceeding. However, I can confirm that the series of videos from inside a Kelowna residential building were recently disclosed to all parties involved in the civil litigation as per a court order. The RCMP respects the judicial process and we will continue to respond officially to the allegations made in the civil claim through the courts.

Once we received the videos the materials were reviewed immediately specifically as it relates to the police officer’s actions. As a result of the review, we can confirm that an internal Code of Conduct and criminal investigation were initiated and they are ongoing.

With respect to the internal investigation, the member in the video has been placed on administrative duties and their duty status will be subject to continual assessment. With the other investigation, the RCMP will also be asking an outside police department to independently review the findings of our criminal investigation once completed.

Both investigations are a priority and we ask for the public to respect that they are underway. Those directly involved are being held accountable. We also ask that public refrain from overwhelming the Kelowna RCMP non-emergency phone line with your concerns, so we can ensure that other members of the public can be provided with the assistance they are seeking.

Insp. Laura Livingstone