An Ontario criminal court judge has found Ottawa Police Sgt. Steven Desjourdy not guilty of sexual assault in a case that has garnered national attention.
In the first case of its kind, Desjourdy was charged after a female prisoner had her shirt and bra cut off and then left topless for hours in a jail cell.
The Crown alleged Desjourdy intended to humiliate and punish the woman for kicking a fellow police officer. The judge ruled there was no sexual context to his actions, and dismissed the charges.
Desjourdy hugged his colleagues and outside the courtroom a group of supporters erupted in applause.
In a statement Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said "We respect the court's decision, The Ottawa Police Service will not be making further comment on today's decision nor the review and upcoming process regarding the PSA charge of discreditable conduct."
The Ottawa Police Association issued its own statement, saying it " welcomes the acquittal of our member,
Sergeant Steve Desjourdy. As we expected, following a critical and comprehensive review of the evidence presented, in over 15 days of trial, Steve Desjourdy has been found not guilty."
Each day, the men and women of the Ottawa Police provide the highest calibre of service to Ottawa’s residents. Annually, our members receive more than three hundred thousand calls for service. Our members are called upon to use their training, skills, and experience, in the most dangerous and challenging of circumstances. During those times, our mission is to ensure that we preserve public safety, the safety of those in custody, and the safety of our members.
The OPA was confident that an exhaustive review of the evidence in the case, as brought out at trial, would result in a dismissal of the charge.
Sergeant Steve Desjourdy remains a valued member of the OPA. I, along with my membership, have been proud to support him through the previous 25 months. We will continue to do so.
Sergeant Desjourdy has declined comment.
