Kelowna Mountie charged with assault connected to high-profile wellness check
Posted August 23, 2021 2:54 pm.
Last Updated August 23, 2021 8:51 pm.
KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — A Kelowna Mountie has been charged with assault connected to high-profile wellness check.
Today, the BC Prosecution Service announced a charge of assault has been approved against Kelowna RCMP Const. Lacey Browning in connection to the incident.
Video of a University of British Columbia Okanagan nursing student being dragged and stepped on during a wellness check in Kelowna went viral in 2020.
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Mona Wang alleged she suffered physical and emotional injuries at the hands of an RCMP officer after her boyfriend called police to check for a health check on Jan. 20.
She says she was punched in the face while the officer dragged her to an elevator, which caused facial bruising, broken blood vessels in her left eye, a swollen right eye, and bruising to the right temple.
RELATED: ‘Reckless’ Kelowna RCMP officer seen dragging, stepping on head of nursing student during wellness check
The officer was placed on administrative duties, according to the RCMP. NEWS 1130 has confirmed through the RCMP that she will remain on administrative leave until this is resolved.
The incident led to several protests in B.C., as well as in Alberta, with hundreds calling for an end to police brutality.
UPDATE: @BCRCMPMedia Have confirmed Constable Lacy (correct spelling of her first name) Browning has been placed on administrative duty as long as this matter is before the courts. https://t.co/JEQg8y0t4l
— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) August 23, 2021
Last year, the commanding officer for the Southeast district of the RCMP apologized to Wang. Chief Supt. Brad Haugli said it’s natural the friends and family of Wang want answers.
“High public confidence is what we strive for, and when we become aware of concerning behaviour, we needed to assure the public we are taking the necessary steps to gather all the facts using legislative process to make a determination of what occured and to hold our members accountable,” Haugli said.
Wang brought a civil suit against the RCMP last year, which reached a settlement June 2021. The details are confidential.
Browning will make her first appearance on Sept. 14 in Kelowna Provincial Court.
