Calgary woman says she felt 'humiliated' by Alberta sheriffs during a traffic stop
KumKum Roychowdhury says she was driving home to Calgary from her nephew's home in Airdrie, Atla., when she was pulled over by Alberta sheriffs and asked to take a breathalyzer.
When she struggled to provide a proper sample after 17 attempts, she said that's when officers told her to remove part of her cultural outfit and open her clothing, an idea she was "insulted" by.
The 74 year old was with her sister Rina Mukherjee when they pulled over for Alberta sheriffs on July 27, near Balzac, for a regulation check stop.
Roychowdhury said the officers demanded she take a breathalyzer, even though she says she had not been smoking or drinking.
Under federal law, any officer can demand a breath sample from any motorist who has been lawfully pulled over.
Roychowdhury said she suffers from shortness of breath, a health complication she developed following a mild stroke in February 2019.
Despite her medical issue, she said the sheriffs made her take the breathalyzer 17 times.
"(The) officer was really frustrated because I couldn’t make it all the way through 30 seconds, or how(ever) many seconds, I don’t know," Roychowdhury told CTV News.
Following several attempts, Roychowdhury said the officers requested she step out of the vehicle and remove part of her cultural saree dress as to allow her chest to take in more oxygen.
She said she was asked to undo her bra and loosen up her blouse underneath the saree, with other motorists looking on.
"That makes me so mad because he has no authority and has no right," said Roychowdhury.
"Maybe he’s a sheriff doing the law but I’m a woman and he’s a man and he cannot tell this woman that your chest is not moving. I feel very much insulted, how dare he state that your chest is not moving (or) your stomach (is) not moving."
WOMAN SAID SHERIFFS APOLOGIZED
A statement was released by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General’s office about the incident.
"The Sheriff Highway Patrol (SHP) was made aware of this matter Wednesday (July 28th) and is still in the process of finding out more about the particulars," said spokesperson Jason van Rassel.
"A supervisor will contact the complainant and speak to the officers involved in the Checkstop operation to obtain more details. The SHP is also checking if there are any audio or video recordings available."
While Roychowdhury said sheriffs have already reached out to her to apologize for the incident, she is still seeking to file a formal complaint. Under Alberta's Peace Officer Act, members of the public can file a formal complaint in writing to the investigative services team at Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
She believes she was treated unfairly as the sheriffs eventually let her go.
"I was humiliated, I was in trauma," she said. "I was really in such a panic attack."
Chowdhury's sister Mukherjee says female officers should be required by law to be present during these check stops, something she says is the case in her home country of India.
"Some women are not comfortable with the male police officer," said Mukherjee.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.