Lafrance hearing to be put on hold

Police Services Act charges against Cst. Christi Lafrance will not go forward until after her criminal matter has been dealt with, BayToday.ca has learned.

Lafrance, who was charged with assault after a handcuffed prisoner in custody was allegedly struck by a North Bay Police Service officer, also faces two charges under the PSA.

A hearing into the PSA charges was supposed to be held Monday.

But Lafrance’s lawyer Andrew Perrin told BayToday.ca he’s received word “the matter will be put over to a later date pending the outcome of the Criminal Code charges.”

Did not deny using force
Perrin said he and his client will still attend police headquarters Monday, at which point an adjournment is expected to be issued.

Provisions within the Police Services Act of Ontario allow for charges to be stayed if criminal charges have also been laid in relation to the same incident.

During a long and far-ranging interview with BayToday.ca, Lafrance said she hadn’t assaulted the prisoner, but did not deny using force.

“I used force on him yes, but I was justified in the force that I used,” Lafrance said.

“I can use as much force as necessary to affect the arrest, and I was assisting with a male who was being arrested and was trying to refuse the arrest. He was keeping one arm underneath him and he was attempting to harm one of the officers, and I was preventing him from doing that.”