An Ottawa police officer has been charged with sexual assault in connection with the treatment of a woman taken into custody in 2008 who was seen in surveillance video having her shirt and bra cut off.
The charges stem from an investigation launched late last year by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, which probes incidents of death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault involving police. Last November, the SIU began investigating the case of Stacy Bonds, who was arrested for alcohol-related offences, including public intoxication, on Sept. 6, 2008. She was also charged with assaulting a peace officer.
The SIU launched its investigation after the video of the police search of Bonds surfaced, showing Special Const. Melanie Morris kneeing her in the back, after which Sgt. Steven Desjourdy cuts off her shirt and bra.
Last October, after seeing the video, Ontario Court Justice Richard Lajoie stayed the charges against Bonds, and expressed concern about the conduct of the officers during her time in custody.
In December, Bonds filed a $1.2-million lawsuit against the Ottawa police force.
In her statement of claim, Bonds says police violated her Charter rights because her treatment while in custody came close to torture. The statement contends that Bonds suffered "two shattering blows" to her side, was subjected to "a highly intrusive, unnecessary and unlawful search," and suffered "emotional and physical trauma."
Bonds also accuses police of discriminating against her because she is a black woman.
The allegations in the statement of claim have not been proven in court.
In a statement of defence, Ottawa police say Bonds resisted officers during her arrest, including striking at a special constable with her arm and legs. Police also deny that Morris's kicks "made any significant contact."
In the wake of the incident, Ottawa police added additional supervision to the cell bloc where Bonds was searched. The force has also hired a consultant to review training procedures.
On Tuesday, SIU director Ian Scott said the agency's probe determined "that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an officer with the Ottawa Police Service committed a criminal offence in connection with the arrest and detention of Stacy Bonds in Ottawa on September 6, 2008."
Sgt. Steven Desjourdy was formally charged with sexual assault on Tuesday. He is due in court on April 12.
The SIU said in a statement that the agency will offer no further comment on its investigation "as this matter is now before the courts."
