Trans woman suing police, city over 2011 incident

The Law Courts building in Winnipeg, Man. is shown in a file image.

A transgender person says Winnipeg police officers used excessive force and violated her rights during a 2011 incident.

Nikki Cox is suing the police service and the City of Winnipeg. A two day trial is underway.

The 49-year-old testified she was parked in the back of the St. James Civic Centre when officers approached in cruiser cars.

She says they pointed their weapons at her and an officer put a boot on her back when she was on the ground even though she says she was not resisting.

Cox says she overheard officers refer to her as a "tranny," but he testified the remark was not derogatory.

Court heard the officers were looking for two break-and-enter suspects at the time.

A lawyer representing the police says the officers used proper force as Cox was not complying with their demands.

When the police realized Cox was not a suspect court heard they apologized and released her.