Family of Smiths Falls, Ont. woman dragged by police in viral video wants to ensure she receives medical care

A Smiths Falls woman who was pulled from a police cruiser in a by an officer in a viral video appeared in court Thursday. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports.

A Smiths Falls woman who was pulled from a police cruiser by an officer in a viral video appeared in court on Thursday.

Rebecca McNaughton appeared in-person for a bail hearing at a Perth courthouse. She’s been in custody since her arrest last weekend.

Her family and supporters came to court, concerned for her mental health and angry at the way she’d been treated by police.

Video of the 29-year-old’s arrest by Smiths Falls Police shows her being pulled from the cruiser while handcuffed and then held to the ground.

“Our focus is on supporting Becky on gathering evidence and ensuring she receives adequate medical care, which to our knowledge she still has not received,” said Sarah Black, McNaughton’s sister. “This is completely unacceptable and it’s our understanding that she initially refused medical care because she was in shock.”

The officers involved are on administrative duties. In a statement, the Smiths Falls Police Service said, “This matter is being independently investigated by another agency for transparent and impartiality reasons. The Smiths Falls Police Service will not be making any further comment to ensure the integrity of that process.”

CTV News Ottawa has confirmed that Cornwall Police are leading that investigation.

“The Cornwall Police Service can confirm that a request has been received from the Smiths Falls Police Service as a result of a Chief’s Complaint to investigate a conduct allegation under regulation 401/23 of the Community Safety and Policing Act,” said Chief Shawna Spowart of the CPS. “The Smiths Falls Police Service concluded that an institutional conflict of interest exists in this matter as per the CSPA, resulting in the request for the CPS to assist with the investigation.”

McNaughton appeared briefly in court on Thursday. She faces several charges, including two counts of assaulting police, mischief, failing to comply with probation, causing a disturbance, and uttering threats. McNaughton was in-person for the bail court hearing, wearing a grey shirt and she had a mark on the side of her face.

Outside the courthouse, there were supporters who said she needs mental health treatment and that this should not be a criminal case.

“When we watch a video like that, it deeply impacted me and it impacted a lot of other people,” said Kelly Denham, who showed up to court to support McNaughton. “It was just wrong and it’s important that she knows that she is not alone, and the family is not alone. There are other people who saw that video and are also outraged and want justice for her.”

Black says that people with mental health and addictions deserve compassion and help.

“At the end of the day, police are trained to de-escalate. This was not a situation where there was an equal balance of power. They’re trained to recognize mental distress, and my sister was very clearly in mental distress,” said Black.

McNaughton is scheduled to be back in court on Friday afternoon.