Officer caught on video dragging UBCO student on desk duty

The Kelowna RCMP officer caught on surveillance video dragging a UBCO student down a hallway and pushing her head into the ground with her foot has been placed on desk duty while an internal investigation is underway.

BC RCMP spokesperson S/Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said Tuesday an internal Code of Conduct and statutory criminal investigation has been launched into the actions of Const. Lacey Browning. 

“The RCMP will also be asking an outside police department to independently review the findings of our criminal investigation once completed,” Shoihet said. “The member in the video is on administrative duties and their duty status is subject to continual assessment.”

The video was released as a part of a civil lawsuit launched by the student in the video, Mona Wang. She alleges Const. Browning assaulted her during a wellness check on Jan. 20, something disputed by the officer. 

The lawsuit alleges Const. Browning entered the apartment and found Wang lying on the bathroom floor in a state of semi-consciousness and ordered her to stand.

“The plaintiff could not stand on her own, and therefore, the plaintiff did not respond to Browning’s commands,” the suit says.

The claim alleges Browning stepped on the student's arm and kicked her in the stomach while she was down, assaulting her while shouting “stop being dramatic” and “control your [expletive] dog, don’t make me hurt him.”

In her response to the lawsuit, Const. Browning claims Wang had to be subdued after she was startled awake by the officer performing a sternum rub. The officer said she dragged Wang from her room to the front lobby to ensure other officers could access the apartment building. 

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