Stacy Bonds, the 27-year-old Ottawa woman who was shown being kneed and having her top cut off in an Ottawa police cellblock video, has launched a $1.2 million lawsuit against the Ottawa police.
Bonds names the Ottawa Police Service, Chief Vern White and several officers as defendants in her suit, which was launched Friday in Toronto. She alleges the defendants violated her Charter rights which led to her being negligently and maliciously prosecuted.
Her statement of claim also calls the officers vindictive and argues that the treatment she received was influenced by her race. Bonds is black.
"Race, class, and gender had something to do with it," said Bonds' lawyer Sean Dewart.
Bonds claims that "emotional and physical trauma," suffered during the incident have left her unable to sleep and "fearful of police." Her lawsuit also alleges that Chief White and other administrators failed to train officers properly.
Morris has been reassigned to desk duties pending an investigation.
The defendants have 20 days to respond with a statement of defence.
As of a result of this incident, the Ottawa Police Service added a new layer of supervision to the cellblock and hired a security consultant to review policies and training. A report on these changes will be presented to the Police Services Board on Monday.
Police have also reportedly hired a local public relations firm for $40,000 to help repair the force's image.
