Mayor asks for timely, transparent RCMP review of latest video

Photo: Surveillance Video

Troubling, disturbing and upsetting.

That's how Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran described a video that surfaced this week of a Kelowna RCMP officer dragging a woman down a hallway, stomping on her head and pulling her by the hair during what was supposed to be a wellness check.

"Very disappointing to see the actions of the officer on the video. really hard to defend," said Basran when reached for comment.

"Without knowing every detail, certainly it appears that this call was mental health related. I think it enforces that mental health issues are still very stigmatized."

This latest video comes just three weeks after another video surfaced in which Const. Siggy Pietrzak is seen on a brief 12 second video violently intervening in the arrest of Tyler Russell in downtown Kelowna.

That incident is also under review.

Basran says the city has communicated with the local detachment, and are asking for a quick review of this latest incident as well.

"We are asking for a timely review of this by the RCMP, and that they take whatever actions that are necessary, but that it be done quickly and transparently."

Basran says he also believes the video underscores a need for the city and RCMP to look at how mental health calls are dealt with.

That includes expansion of the police and crisis team.

"We have an officer assigned to our police and crisis team already working with a mental health nurse, and that is very well received.

"We have another officer assigned to enhance that team, but Interior Health has yet to come to the table with another nurse, which we could really use.

"I would urge them to strongly reconsider if there's a clear need."

While the two videos are concerning, Basran says he wouldn't go so far as to say there is a systemic problem within the local detachment.

It's quite the opposite, saying those members that don't work in a professional manner makes all officers look bad.

"What I find very troubling about this latest one is that this was somebody, by all accounts, needing help, and this is response that they got.

"That makes me really sad. What if that was a loved one of mine that needed help, and that's the way they were treated. That's awful."

The RCMP announced Tuesday the officer in the video, Const. Lacey Browning, has been placed on administrative duties while an internal Code of Conduct investigation and statutory criminal investigation is underway.

"The RCMP will also be asking an outside police department to independently review the findings of our criminal investigation once completed," said acting officer in command of the Kelowna RCMP, Insp. Laura Livingstone.

"Both investigations are a priority and we ask for the public to respect that they are underway. Those directly involved are being held accountable," Livingstone continued. "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."