Nursing student sues the RCMP
Kelowna woman claims she was brutalized during wellness check
A University of B.C. Okanagan nursing student is suing the RCMP, alleging police brutality while an officer was performing a wellness check.
Mona Wang alleges Kelowna RCMP Const. Lacy Browning stepped on her arm and kicked her in the stomach while she was on the ground, shouting “stop being dramatic!” and “control your f--ing dog, don’t make me hurt him!,” and other phrases including “stupid idiot!”
Wang contends she was handcuffed and dragged through the apartment on her stomach, causing injuries to her face, upper thigh, breast, sternum and torso, according to the civil suit, filed in a Kelowna court in March.
None of the allegations has been proven in court. The defendants deny several of the claims.
The suit also names the government bodies responsible for the Mounties, including Canada’s attorney general and B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general.
According to court documents, Wang was at home in mental distress on Jan. 20. Her boyfriend called police to do a wellness check.
Browning went to her residence and when she arrived found Wang lying on the floor half-conscious, according to the lawsuit. Wang alleges that Browning never identified herself as an RCMP officer and kicked her on the floor and stepped on her arm while she was semi-conscious.
“Browning dragged the plaintiff to the elevator while punching the plaintiff in her face,” the suit alleges.
Browning arrested Wang, and she was taken to Kelowna General Hospital. Browning purportedly told hospital staff that Wang was high on meth, but the toxicology report showed that Wang had no illegal drugs in her body or blood, according to the documents.
“The plaintiff has never used methamphetamines or any illicit drugs,” the suit says.
The suit contends Browning’s behaviour toward Wang was “abusive
and repetitive in the extreme,” causing Wang mental and physical harm. It says Browning should have known that her behaviour would demean, intimidate, humiliate and terrify Wang.
She is seeking punitive and exemplary damages against the defendants.
In a statement of defence filed June 15, the defendants have denied many of the claims. The RCMP were informed that a woman had become unresponsive to text messages and was described as having a history of suicide attempts by ingesting medication.
Browning was initially unable to access the residence and made several attempts to contact Wang by the intercom system. Browning was permitted access to the building by another resident, according to the statement.
The statement says Browning found Wang motionless with a box-cutter knife in her right hand with the blade extended. The defendants contend she had cuts to her chest and upper arm, which were bleeding. There were over-thecounter medicine bottles on the floor and a near-empty box of wine.
Browning performed a sternum rub to determine consciousness, according to the statement, and Wang responded by opening her eyes and yelling. The defendants claim that Wang demonstrated “erratic, suicidal and violent behaviour.”
At all times they contend she was “combative and possibly in possession of a further weapon,” and that Browning believed paramedics wouldn’t attend until a combative patient is secured by police.
Browning then struck Wang “several times with an open palm” so that she could handcuff her, according to the statement.
A video has emerged showing the officer dragging the student, who is only wearing a bra and pants. Wang lifts her head and then Browning steps on it. At another point in the video, Browning grabs Wang by the
hair and lifts her head and shoulders off the ground.
In response, RCMP spokeswoman Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said Mounties are aware of the video.
“The RCMP respects the judicial process and we will file our official response as per the civil proceedings,” Shoihet said in an emailed statement. “We are committed to reviewing the materials and the allegations as it relates to the police officer’s actions to determine what other steps need to be taken.”