Complaint about RCMP to be probed

Whitehorse RCMP are seeking an outside police agency to conduct an independent investigation after receiving a complaint alleging the improper use of force during an arrest.

Whitehorse RCMP are seeking an outside police agency to conduct an independent investigation after receiving a complaint alleging the improper use of force during an arrest.

A 57-year-old woman has complained that an RCMP member used improper force, resulting in an injury, while she was being placed under arrest.

Last Tuesday, after receiving a complaint that a man had been assaulted in the downtown area of Whitehorse, an RCMP constable located and arrested a 57-year-old woman who had been identified as the suspect, police said in a press release made public today.

They are not releasing the name of the woman, but Helen Hollywood told the Star last week she is not sure why she was arrested.

Hollywood said she never assaulted anyone, and was inside her apartment all day.

She alleges she stopped outside her apartment on Alexander Street to complain about a noisy argument between the officer and another man.

It was then that she was arrested and her arm was injured, she claims.

“It hurt so much,” she said from a hospital bed in Vancouver.

During the arrest, police say the woman actively resisted the officer who eventually placed her into handcuffs.

She was then driven to the lock-up at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, where RCMP prisoners are currently being held.

While being booked, it was determined she was suffering from an injury to her arm. She was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital for treatment.

Hollywood was eventually medevaced to Vancouver for surgery on her arm.

She will likely have to have multiple surgeries on the arm over the next few weeks, she said.

“A criminal investigation has been initiated into the allegations and an independent police service is now being sought to perform the investigation,” the release said.

“This approach follows RCMP policy regarding the investigation of allegations against the police that are serious or sensitive in nature.

“It also respects the direction being taken in response to recommendations in the Sharing Common Ground, Review of Yukon’s Police Force report.”

The involved RCMP member remains on duty. A police investigation into the alleged assault on a male in the downtown area remains active, with no charges being laid at this time.

When complete, the criminal investigation will be provided to Public Prosecution Service Canada, which will conduct an independent review, then advise if a criminal prosecution is warranted against the RCMP member.

The RCMP will also review the events to determine if a separate internal investigation into the on-duty conduct of the RCMP member is warranted.

None of Hollywood’s allegations have been proven.