Advertisement

Kelowna, B.C., cop on desk duty after allegedly dragging nursing student down hallway

Click to play video: 'Kelowna cop on desk duty after allegedly dragging nursing student down hallway during wellness check'
Kelowna cop on desk duty after allegedly dragging nursing student down hallway during wellness check
Surveillance video appears to show a Kelowna RCMP officer dragging a UBC Okanagan nursing student handcuffed down the hallway while performing a wellness check. Jules Knox reports. – Jun 23, 2020

The Kelowna, B.C., police officer at the center of a lawsuit is now on desk duty, RCMP said Tuesday.

Police also announced that an internal code of conduct and criminal investigation is underway following a lawsuit that alleges Const. Lacy Browning mistreated a university nursing student during a wellness check in January.

“We understand that a series of videos related to the ongoing civil matter were recently disclosed to all parties as per a court order,” police said on Tuesday.

“The RCMP respects the judicial process and we will file our official response as per the civil proceedings.”

Mona Wang alleges in her civil claim that Browning handcuffed her and dragged her down a hallway, after finding her lying semiconscious on the bathroom floor, next to empty pill bottles.

Story continues below advertisement

Surveillance video shows Wang is only wearing pants and a sports bra while being dragged into her building’s lobby.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Later, as she tries to lift her head, Browning appears to put her foot down, forcing Wang’s head back to the floor, then a minute later, pulling Wang’s hair to lift her head up.

Wang is seeking punitive and exemplary damages against the defendants, calling the actions of Browning and the RCMP reckless, arrogant, and abusive.

Click to play video: 'Surveillance video of wellness check on Kelowna woman'
Surveillance video of wellness check on Kelowna woman

In its response to the claim, the RCMP claims it had been told that Wang had a history of suicide attempts.

In court documents, the officer had alleged that Wang was behaving erratically and acting in a manner that was likely to endanger her safety, so she arrested her under the Mental Health Act.

Story continues below advertisement

“In light of the plaintiff’s volatile demeanour, aggressive actions and repeated refusals to follow commands … the limited use of force by the defendant Browning was no more than was reasonable and necessary in the circumstances,” the response claims.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

RCMP said the criminal investigation into Browning will be independently handled by an outside police department.

Sponsored content

AdChoices