Lawyers for the Ottawa police say officers were following protocol when they arrested and detained Stacy Bonds in a cellblock at Ottawa police headquarters two years ago.

CTV Ottawa has obtained the police service's statement of defence in a multi-million dollar lawsuit launched by Bonds in December.

"The Defendants state that at no time did they act with malice and/or for a primary purpose other than that of carrying out their duties," reads the statement, which was filed Monday afternoon.

It alleges Bonds was in possession of open alcohol, was consuming alcohol in a public place and was seen to be intoxicated when she was arrested.

When Bonds was brought to police headquarters, police allege she was resistant.

"During the search portion of the booking process, the Plaintiff resisted firstly with the use of her left arm and secondly with the use of her legs," the statement of defence reads.

Both instances were apparently directed at Special Const. Melanie Morris.

Police say Morris responded by directing "two knee kicks toward the Plaintiff" which is a "response included in the Standard Use of Force Model."

According to the defence, Morris injured her right knee "as a result of a kick or kicks from the Plaintiff." The injury caused Morris to miss 3.5 days of work.

Police also deny that a male officer conducted a strip search of the woman.

Bonds launched a $1.2-million lawsuit against the Ottawa Police Service in December; two months after a judge called her treatment by Ottawa police a human indignity.

The lawsuit names the Ottawa Police Service, Chief Vern White and several officers as defendants. Bonds alleges the defendants violated her Charter rights, which led to her being negligently and maliciously prosecuted.

The court released surveillance video from the cellblock showing Bonds' treatment by Ottawa police in the fall.

The footage shows Bonds struggling at the booking counter before she is kneed and pinned to the ground. Her shirt and bra are then cut off with a pair of scissors.

Bonds' statement of claim calls the officers vindictive and argues that the treatment she received was influenced by her race.

The lawsuit goes on to claim Bonds suffered "emotional and physical trauma" which has left her "fearful of police" and unable to sleep.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr