An Orillia OPP officer has been convicted of assault causing bodily harm for her actions following an arrest outside Studabakers Restaurant four years ago.
On Sept. 7, 2019, OPP officers arrested a woman outside the downtown bar at 1:15 a.m., and then transported her to the former Orillia OPP detachment on Peter Street.
While in a jail cell, the woman was involved in an interaction with Constable Bailey Nicholls, and was subsequently taken to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital for treatment. Two days later, the woman returned to the hospital and was diagnosed with a serious injury.
At the time, a Special Investigations Unit probe led to the charge against Nicholls, who was ultimately found guilty of assault causing bodily harm at the Orillia courthouse on Thursday.
Following the incident, Nicholls was permitted to continue working in an administrative capacity, but on Friday OPP officials confirmed that she is not currently working due to “unrelated leave.”
What happens next for Nicholls is still unclear, officials said, noting they are reviewing the decision and that sentencing has yet to take place.
“While there has been a conviction registered, we don't know if there will be an appeal or anything like that – it'll all take time,” said OPP media relations manager, Bill Dickson.
“The member’s currently off on unrelated leave, so they're not actually working," said Dickson.
“There will be professional standards and an investigation following this, but there are processes to follow.”
In a press release, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique stated the police service recognizes how troubling such convictions can be.
"We recognize that it can be deeply troubling when a police officer is convicted of, or even accused of a criminal offence,” Carrique said. “The OPP is a very large service and serious breaches of the law or professional standards by our members are rare. We hold our officers to the highest standards of professionalism and are committed to ensuring that we maintain the public's trust."
John Cerasuolo, president of the OPP Association, said the association will continue to “fully support” Nicholls to the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
“On Oct. 26, 2023 Justice Jon Olver read a verdict of guilty of assault causing bodily harm for Const. Bailey Nicholls after a trial in Orillia court,” Cerasuolo said in a statement.
“We believed that the evidence would result in the acquittal of PC Nicholls and today's decision is obviously very disappointing," he said.
“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.”
