Possible language barriers will be a focus into Coquitlam RCMP conduct in video

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – New Westminster Police will be looking at possible language barriers, as they conduct an official probe into what led to a confrontation between Coquitlam RCMP officers and an elderly couple on Thursday.

Sergeant Jeff Scott, of New Westminster Police, says investigators have already looked into whether communication problems were a factor.

“One of our street crime detectives is a Korean-speaking officer who has now reached out to the family, although they are fluent in English.”

The couple were attending a strata meeting at the Best Western on North Road, when they refused to leave as the gathering was being disbanded. Coquitlam RCMP were called to the meeting when some people at the meeting feared violence was about to break out.

A video shows an officer dragging an elderly man down some stairs, while another officer struggles with an elderly woman who refuses to cooperate.

A child screams and beats on the officer.

“We’ll be looking at video surveillance that may be available, plus other video footage available. We’ll be speaking with witnesses and of course speaking with the parties involved,” says Scott.

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