Officer charged with sexual assault in Bonds case

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.

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Stacy Bonds is shown in this undated image.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Mar. 15 2011 8:28 PM ET

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."

Comments are now closed for this story

teddyden
said

suspended with pay is part of their union contract so you cant do anything about it. Innocent until proven guilty. In order for change the contract has to be changed which it will not be. After all the person may be found not guilty then could sue for back wages.

James
said

Of course suspended with pay. Like everyone else in Canada, innocent until proven guilty. You can't assume guilt, take the officers' only source of income away, potentially have them have to declare bankruptcy because they would have no income for a year or two. When the general public gets CHARGED, they don't get fired automatically or suspended without pay, why should the police.

TFF
said

@ Christine:I work in corrections, and we have had to remove clothing by force, on men and women if a) they are making a threat to harm themselves that requires them to be placed in protective clothing; b) if they are involved in an assault and have evidence (i.e. blood) on their clothing which needs to be retrieved and given to the police.It is a traumatic experience; but it is covered by law and is not a decision taken lightly.I do not know what the case is in this situation, but it is something that comes up, unfortunately, frequently.

Bad Optics
said

The picture tells a story of the cop leaning against the wall watching the show. If this woman were a real threat of any sort all the cops would be on the alert not leaning against a wall. This picture makes it look like they take turns working over the visitors in their cell block. Troubling to say the least.

Ron J.
said

Something's wrong here. Anyone who can read a criminal code will easily figure out that sexual assault has to be for a sexual purpose. I doubt the police cut her bra off for a sexual purpose, but to prevent her from hanging herself or choking someone else with it. This seems to be a case of excessive force, which is assault. But not sexual assault. What gives?

James (Alta Vista)
said

Cutting off her shirt and bra serves one purpose - to exercise control and humiliate her and "teach her a lesson" to submit to them.

Mark
said

Bra's are taken off because you can hang yourself with them. Definition of "Sexual Assault" is an assault with "Sexual Connotations". I don't see how any of this applies. I think the SIU needs to go back to law school.

JB in Ontario
said

We hear one side of the story but why did the officers have to use force in the first place? I've been wrong before, I support the police. No not everyone is perfect, police officers work under difficult circumstances and do a hell of a good job as far as I am concerned.

Smithers
said

The culture within the Ottawa Police Department needs a major overhaul. I have had lots of Ottawa cops for friends over the years and my son is a cop in another jurisdiction but I have never seen so many cops who "label" people and have preconceived biases the way they do using names like the "pukes", "scumbags" and that's just the surface of it without getting into the bigoted stuff. The female cops I have witnessed aren't much better either. Not all cops are like that of course but enough to require a change of culture.

ninona
said

no bail hearing? with pay? i guess cops don't follow the same criminal procedures as the general public. NOT SURPRISED!

Pickels would agree
said

Many of us who live in Ottawa who have had dealings with the OPD know they can be hard to get along with. Many officers including some female officers act as if they have a chip on their shoulders towards men (my experience) and are hostile in demeanor. Some of the men as well display too much "attitude" as if they are accountable to no one. Police are there to serve not be served. They should be polite, calm, courteous and show professionalism. Is that too much to ask of the OPD? I think not. Other forces do. Not all are unprofessional but when you need a cop it only takes a few rotten ones to ruin it for all. Abuse should never be experienced when dealing with the police.

T in Kingston
said

Of course suspended WITH pay...being charged does not assume guilt.

Matthew
said

Not all cops are good cops.

Christine
said

I ahve the utmost respect for law enforcement officers and usually give them the benefit of the doubt but honestly cannot see what purpose would be served by cutting off her shirt and bra (even if she was resisting/being combative). There is definitely something wrong here.

John Brewer
said

The officer should be suspended without pay and if exonerated then and only then should the officer be given that pay. The police need to be held to a higher standard, it might not be fair but it is part of the responsibility of the position and unless there is some tangible penalty for inappropriate behaviour it will never stop.

Peter in Ottawa
said

What charges will Melanie Morris face in court? Assault charges seem appropriate.

Mike leaving Alberta
said

suspended with pay.. no doubt

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