Sister says video of police berating her brother in wheelchair makes her 'sick'

Video of a police officer swearing at a man in a wheelchair is unsettling to the man's sister, but she is grateful that it has exposed inappropriate police behaviour.

The video, which was filmed on Wednesday morning, shows a Montreal police officer searching through the bag of a man using a wheelchair. 

• Video shows Montreal police swearing at man in wheelchair, rifling through backpack

The man had crossed McGill College Avenue on a red light, just outside the university's Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street. 

In the video captured by a witness, the officer says "I'm going to give you a f--king ticket. You asked for it."

The witnesses never caught the man's name, but they were concerned about him and decided to post the video on Facebook. It's been shared over 11,000 times.

One of the witnesses also filed a complaint with the police ethics commission.

'Let the public see how police treat people'

CBC News learned the man's name is Leon Shand. His sister, Patricia Henry, said it was upsetting for her to watch the video.

"It makes me feel so sick to see how they treat my brother," Henry said. "Maybe if he wasn't in a wheelchair, who's to tell you what they would have done to him?"

The incident culminated with Shand being given $800 worth of tickets, she said. She found the language the officer used while handing out the ticket inappropriate. 

"That was very, very rude," Henry said. "It doesn't matter what colour or race you are. It's not appropriate for an officer of the law to be speaking to someone like that."

But despite the feelings that accompany the video, Henry is thankful the incident was captured on camera.

"It's very good to let the public see how police treat people," she said. "We are all living here and we are human beings. We are citizens."

Henry said her brother was shaken up after the altercation. Later that day, he fell out of his wheelchair and was taken to hospital to be treated for a concussion. 

"He's resting, recovering from the trauma that he went through," she said.

Shand wasn't available for an interview because of the concussion.

Police admit language not appropriate

Cmdr. Danik Guerrero, who is in charge of Montreal police station 20, confirmed Thursday afternoon that he had seen the video and spoken with the officer involved.   

"I personally met my police officer and I told him that for us, this is language that I don't approve," Guerrero said. "This is language the Montreal police service doesn't approve."

Guerrero also said the video needs to be put into context — the incident happened at a wide intersection with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as construction.

He said the officer was concerned for Shand's safety, and had ordered him to stay on the median when the light turned red. But Shand kept going.