Orillia OPP officer convicted of assaulting woman during arrest
An Orillia OPP officer has been found guilty of assault causing bodily harm after choking and pinning a woman against cell bars during an arrest four years ago.
On Thursday, Justice John Olver said Const. Bailey Nicholls used excessive force during the arrest of a woman while removing her jewelry in a jail cell, resulting in her needing five stitches for her injuries.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
On Sept. 7, 2019, OPP officers arrested a woman outside the Studabakers Beachside restaurant in Orillia for public intoxication and brought her to the Orillia OPP detachment.
She was asked to remove her jewelry in her holding cell as a routine precaution but found it difficult to remove her necklace due to her intoxicated state.
Court documents say she removed her earrings before attempting the necklace again.
An impatient Const. Nicholls intervened approximately one minute later, pulling on the chain, snapping and breaking it.
The court heard she then grabbed her throat while shoving her into the cell bars.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment, requiring staples for her bloodied head.
The encounter was all captured on camera.
"As the commissioner has said, we know that it's troubling for everyone when a police officer is accused of and, in particular, convicted of a serious crime," said Bill Dickson, OPP Acting Media Relations manager. "The OPP is not only aware of this decision, we take it very seriously, and we value our relationships with our communities. We want to make sure that people know they can trust members of the OPP to uphold the law and preserve public safety."
Dickson said Const. Nicholls is currently on an "unrelated leave."
"We have seen some cases recently, and it is unfortunate, and we don't like it just as much as the public doesn't like it," Dickson added. "But it's still rare when you think of how many police officers we have in the OPP."
The Ontario Provincial Police Association said it's reviewing the judge's reasons for finding the 8-year OPP veteran guilty.
"The OPP Association will fully support OPP Provincial Constable Bailey Nicholls to the conclusion of this proceeding. We believed that the evidence would result in the acquittal of PC Nicholls, and Thursday's decision is obviously very disappointing," said John Cerasuolo, Ontario Provincial Police Association President. "We are analyzing and reviewing the decision of Justice Olver, and once the legal process is concluded, a determination will be made about the merits of an appeal."
Const. Nicholls will return to court in late November to set a date for sentencing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
BREAKING Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick among most overworked provinces in Canada, study finds
A study says Prince Edward Island is the second most overworked province in Canada based on average weekly hours worked, while New Brunswick falls in third.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
OPINION Prince Harry: Press intrusion and the family rift explored in new doc
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again found himself at the centre of media attention following his recent interview as part of 'Tabloids on Trial,' an ITV documentary on phone hacking and tabloid intrusion.