Stfanie Trudeau, 'Officer 728,' handed 12-month suspended sentence, community service

Former Montreal police officer Stfanie Trudeau has been handeda 12-monthsuspended sentence and will do 60 hours of community service for assaulting a man four years ago.

Trudeau,widely known as "Officer 728" because of her badge number,was found guilty of assault in February for using excessive force while arresting Serge Lavoie outside his PlateauMont-Royalhome in October2012.

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In his decision, Quebec Court Judge DanielBdard saidTrudeau was the instigator in the illegal arrest,and the situation escalatedbecause of her conduct. He added thatLavoiedid not pose a threat to officers.

Jean-Pierre Rancourt, Trudeau's lawyer, told reporters that Trudeau feelsit is an"unjust trial for her, an unjust result and unjust sentence for her."

The former policeofficer refused to comment on the decision as she left the courtroom.

Rancourthadrecommendedeither an absolute or conditionaldischarge,saying extensive media coverage of the case saw his client stigmatized.

That argument was dispelled by Bdard, who saidTrudeau'sactions were "brutal," and thatcan't be ignored.

Bdard said that a discharge is "not in the best interest of the public" due to the nature of Trudeau'sactions, adding that she showed no remorse for her conduct.

In a video taken of the confrontation, Trudeau was seenscreaming and putting Lavoiein a headlock.

Following the incident, she was suspended from the forcebeforeshe resigned in September 2015 after nearly two decades on the force.

Trudeau first gained attention as "Officer 728" after she was filmed pepper-spraying protesters during the 2012 student protests.

TheCrown had recommended a 12-monthsuspended sentence with60 hours of community service.

Jean-Simon Larouche, the Crown prosecutor,said Bdard's ruling sends a strong message to police officers that they must act with professionalism and within the law while on duty.

Trudeauwas charged with assault in March 2014 but was triedby summary trial, which in turn reducedthe severity of the charge.

She is appealing the conviction.