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“If that was my family member or friend, I would have deep concerns and would want answers as well,” acknowledged Chief Superintendent Brad Haugli in response to a question from KelownaNow. This after he addressed public concern that has stemmed from the case of nursing student Mona Wang at UBCO.
Video of Kelowna RCMP Constable Lacey Browning dragging Wang down the hallway of her apartment building face-down, pushing her head to the ground with a boot emerged last week. The video surfaced as part of a civil suit Wang has launched over the incident.
“When I first saw the video I was deeply concerned and I am very sorry to Miss Wang for what occurred,” said Haugli.
The Chief Superintendent rarely addresses the public, but with public perception of policing strained by this and other recent incidents, Haugli felt it was time to speak. "I want you to know, I have heard your concerns," he said near the outset of his address.
"The last number of weeks have highlighted law enforcement in this country, most of which has not been positive," he admitted.
The Commander for the Southeast District outlined the investigative process into the event, which includes a statutory code of conduct investigation. The results of that will then be reviewed by an external policing agency, in this case, the Abbotsford Police.
It will then be up to Crown Counsel to decide on possible criminal charges. Constable Browning's, who has been shifted to an administrative role within the RCMP. It will be up to the RCMP's code of conduct process to determine whether or not she keeps her job.
The Chief Superintendent also made a point to stand up for all of the hard-working RCMP members who continue to report to work on a daily basis. "I continue to be proud of the profession I chose," said Haugli, "and I am a proud member of the RCMP."
"I believe high public confidence and accountability is a key element for success in policing no matter the colour of the stripe you wear."
The Commander for the region also explained his commitment to expanding a local program that pairs RCMP members with a Nurse for the kind of distress call that went out for Mona Wang.
"If there is an inability to provide a dedicated Interior Health Nurse for every call, then I want to implement a real-time information-sharing model that provides our members with important health information," he continued.
The investigation into Mona Wang's rough arrest is expected to wrap up by mid-July.
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