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Kelowna RCMP officer convicted of assault faces sentencing in May

Officer's sentencing in May

A Kelowna RCMP officer who was convicted of assault on Monday will face sentencing next spring, more than three years after the assault took place.

On what was scheduled to be the first day of her six-day trial, Const. Lacy Browning pleaded guilty Monday to assaulting Mona Wang during a “wellness check” at Wang's apartment near UBC Okanagan on Jan. 20, 2020.

Surveillance cameras inside the building captured Browning dragging a handcuffed Wang down the apartment hallway and into the lobby. Browning then stepped on Wang's head as the young nursing student lay face down on the floor of the apartment lobby.

Castanet published video of the incident in June 2020, and it quickly drew widespread criticism and national attention. Wang filed a civil lawsuit against Browning and the RCMP, which has since been settled out of court.

Browning was placed on administrative duties in June 2020. Her duty-status remains unchanged, BC RCMP confirmed Monday.

Following her guilty plea Monday, her lawyer requested a Gladue report for Browning prior to sentencing, which is used by the courts to provide context specific to an Indigenous offender's background.

Now, Browning's sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 29, 2023. Crown and defence counsel will submit their sentencing positions to the judge that day, although the judge may reserve delivering a sentence to a later date.

The sentencing position of the Crown is not known at this time.

Browning had been called to Wang's Academy Way apartment on Jan. 20, 2020 after a friend had contacted 911 over concerns Wang may have been a danger to herself. Wang had not been accused of any crimes.

“I was lucky enough to have the privilege of seeking out justice and having my voice heard. However, many survivors do not have the resources to, especially those who are unhoused,” Wang told Castanet on Monday, following Browning's guilty plea.

“If it weren’t for the surveillance camera that captured what had happened, it would have resulted in another assault swept under the rug. I’d like to thank everyone again for supporting me through this journey and we are one step closer to justice and closure.”



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