SIU probes Ottawa police strip search

Ottawa police Chief Vern White said he would co-operate with Ontario's Special Investigations Unit inquiry into the arrest and strip search of a woman, although he feels the matter is outside its mandate.

White was referring to the case of Stacy Bonds, 27, who was arrested on Rideau Street in September 2008 and charged with public intoxication.

Her arrest gained national attention after Justice Richard Lajoie of the Ontario Court of Justice stayed the charge last month, ruling it would be a "travesty to permit these proceedings to go on" because of the "appalling behaviours" of police officers seen in a videotape presented in court.

The video showed officers kneeing Bonds in the back and forcing her to the ground, where a police officer cuts off her shirt and bra with scissors while three other male officers assisted.

The judge's ruling and subsequent media reports detailing the incident prompted White to initiate his own investigation on Oct. 29, but that inquiry was put off after the SIU, an arm's-length civilian agency, launched its own probe on Friday.

White, speaking after a meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board, defended not contacting the SIU.

"We make a determination based on whether or not we think it meets their mandate. We did not think it met their mandate," he said.

The SIU investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

SIU spokeswoman Jasbir Brar said the allegations of sexual assault during the arrest prompted the investigation.

"The key points are Justice Lajoie's comments regarding the strip search and the involvement of three male officers and the cutting off of the complainant's shirt and bra," said Brar.

White also said he would like to see police chiefs have more power to discipline officers. He said the current act makes it difficult to suspend or dismiss police officers, and even those dismissed may remain on the payroll if they choose to appeal.

Bonds's lawyer said the incident shook his client's confidence in police and she is considering a lawsuit against the Ottawa Police Service.