Terrace, B.C.-  The RCMP are facing a lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of  Robert Wright, a  49 year old First Nation's man  who  is suffering  from a  brain injury  which is alleged to be a result of the manner in which he was  dealt with by Terrace RCMP.

The suit alleges  Wright was battered  and assaulted by an RCMP Constable, and that the Constable  used excessive force in dealing with Wright and was negligent in dealing with  Wright by failing to  properly de-escalate the situation.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

The incident started April 21, 2012, when Wright was taken into custody in Terrace cells after his wife called police for assistance.  A five page report released by the BC Criminal Justice Branch outlined that Robert Wright visited hospital three times and hit his head twice while in police custody. The report stated that Mr. Wright was being uncooperative with police. In one of the two incidents, Wright was handcuffed and kneeling, facing the wall and being searched by three police officers when he was “taken” to the ground by one of the officers.  Wright sustained a head injury requiring twelve stitches and causing a traumatic brain injury. He had to be taken by air ambulance for emergency life-saving surgery in the lower mainland of BC, where he lay in a coma for 10 days. He remains seriously brain injured and suffers significant memory issues making independent living impossible.

The New Westminster Police Department investigated the case and recommended charges against at least one police officer; however, the regional Crown in New Westminster declined to approve those charges and proceed to trial.