A formal complaint has been filed against the Smithers RCMP after an incident occurred earlier this month with a woman in her 60’s that she says left her in bruises.
Police were called to a theft in progress and Staff Sgt Kirsten Marshall says an officer detained an individual who did not comply with verbal directions while on scene.
She says despite the officers attempts, the individual failed to comply with commands and was eventually restrained and arrested.
BC Civil Liberties Association Policy Director Michael Vonn says she can’t understand why a frail woman, who uses a walker, needed to be taken down.
“This is a person, who we understand, was being questioned by officers as a witness to an alleged theft,” she says. “We understand that she become distraught in her discussion with the officer and tried to leave. We don’t believe there was any legal ground for her to be physically detained.”
Police say the woman refused medical attention.
The investigation is ongoing.
Photo first appeared in The Interior News