Video of 2 seniors dragged down stairs by police prompts external investigation
WARNING: This story contains disturbing video footage
The New Westminster Police Department has been called in to conduct an external investigation after Coquitlam, B.C., RCMP officers were filmed dragging two senior citizens down a flight of stairs.
The seniors were dragged around 10:30 p.m. PT Thursday, when Mounties attended a dispute at a strata meeting at the Best Western Inn and Convention Centre on North Road.
A video shows the couple appearing to resist attempts to arrest them and subsequently being dragged down a flight of stairs to the hotel's front entrance.
The video also shows a young child, identified as the couple's grandchild, screaming, pleading with police and occasionally flailing at one of the officers.
"As with every investigation, our major crime unit will conduct themselves fairly and impartially while they look at all the evidence," said NWPD acting Sgt. Jeff Scott in a written release.
"We're aware of the sensitivity of this investigation, and we'll be providing a Korean-speaking police officer to speak with those involved, and any other care that we have available to ensure a fair and thorough investigation is completed."
WARNING: This video contains disturbing images and sounds.
The two seniors in the video, Myung Ju Lee and Kap Su Lee, were taken into custody and assessed by paramedics.
Myung Ju Lee claimed an officer twisted his arm behind his back and kicked him down the stairs. His wife had scrapes along her back.
The couple spent the night in hospital, and say they're shocked and angry at what happened.
Witnesses said they were shocked to see the couple, who are in their 80s, be treated so roughly.