Mountie pleads guilty to assault on Kelowna student

An RCMP officer from Kelowna has pleaded guilty to assaulting a nursing student during a wellness check in January 2020.

Const. Lacy Browning pleaded guilty to one count of assault on what was supposed to be the first day of her trial on Monday.

Browning was accused of punching and dragging UBC-Okanagan student Mona Wang after the woman’s boyfriend called police asking them to check on her.

Sentencing is expected to take place next year after a pre-sentence report on the officer is completed.

Wang told Global News, she hopes the plea is a step in the right direction for those who choose to come forward.

“I’m really glad that she’s taking accountability for the harm that she’s caused me, but unfortunately abuses like these happen all the time,” said Wang. “I was just privileged enough to have my voice heard and find my justice, a lot of those individuals, especially those who are unhoused will never be able to find the justice that they deserve.”

Surveillance video taken from inside an apartment building, which was disclosed as part of a civil lawsuit filed by Wang, shows the RCMP officer dragging Wang by the arms face down along a carpeted hallway, then stepping on her head in the lobby.

Statements of defence filed in the civil lawsuit from Browning, the Attorney General of Canada and B.C.’s solicitor general denied any wrongdoing, saying the officer used no more force than was reasonable and necessary.

The civil lawsuit was settled out of court and details remain confidential.

(The Canadian Press)