A London police sergeant, who kicked and punched a young woman arrested for being drunk in public and damaging property, has been suspended without pay for 25 days.
Sgt. Peter Paquette, 50, pleaded guilty Friday to three charges under the Police Services Act, including discreditable conduct, for assaulting the woman inside police headquarters two years ago.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the victim was brought into the detention unit at police headquarters on Dundas Street where Paquette was on duty around 6:15 a.m. on September 6, 2016. She was handcuffed and her ankles were restrained by zip ties. After refusing to identify herself or answer Paquette's questions, the woman became agitated and began hitting her head against the wall.
Two constables restrained the woman on the ground to keep her from hurting herself anymore. While on the ground she began to struggle and attempted to turn over, kicking one of the constables in the stomach. A third officer joined in the effort to restrain the woman. As she was being held by the three officers, Paquette kicked her in the lower back and told her to "smarten up," the agreed statement of facts said.
He then applied his left foot near the victim’s head area and stated, "you kick my officers, I kick you."
Paquette then grabbed the woman by the arms and began carrying her to a restraint stretcher. She bit him on the left hand, at which point he threw her onto the stretcher and punched her once in the face with a closed fist. He left for a moment to get more restraint straps, but upon his return kicked the woman in the back near her buttocks and said, "you want to bite me?"
The two exchanged words before Paquette said he would "punch you in the face again if I have to."
The woman made a motion to spit on the officers and Paquette applied his forearm to her left jaw, restraining her head movement. A mask was then placed on the woman to prevent her from spitting on officers. She was taken to hospital as a result of her behaviour, according to the statement of facts.
She did not suffer any broken bones or cuts, but did have some bruises.
Paquette was later charged with one count of assault in relation to the incident. He plead guilty to that charge on December 20, 2017. The 26 year veteran of the police force was given a two-year conditional discharge which required him to receive counselling and complete 100 hours of community service. He has since completed those requirements.
Five Police Services Act charges were originally laid against Paquette. Two of those charges were withdrawn Friday. He then plead guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct and one count of unlawful or unnecessary use of force against a prisoner.
Paquette's punishment of a 25-day suspension without pay is the equivalent of losing 200 hours of wages. He is also required to complete mandated training.
There were relevant mitigating medical circumstances involving Paquette that were taken into consideration as part of the joint resolution on penalty.
This is not the first time Paquette has been in trouble for his actions. He was informally disciplined for an unspecified incident on July 18, 2015.
At Friday's hearing, Paquette read a letter of apology to the victim, her family, his colleagues, and the public.
