Chatham-Kent's police chief says the local police service is reviewing its policy on having a woman remove her bra if she is being held in custody.
That move follows a court case in Chatham last week where it came to light that in March 2015, a female staff sergeant directed a woman charged with impaired driving to remove her bra before undergoing a breath test.
Chief Gary Conn says in that particular case, officers were trying to remove any clothing that could have been used for self-harm or strangulation, but they are now taking a closer look at that policy.
"We, the Chatham-Kent Police Service, are comparing our policy and procedures to other services, keeping an open mind to the amendment of said policy and procedures to be more in line with other services," says Conn in a release issued Tuesday morning.
Conn adds that while the policy is being reviewed, he still fully supports the actions taken by the officers during the incident in question. He also says that policy is in line with provincial standards.
"Our policy and procedures in respect to search of persons and persons in custody was approved by a Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services audit in 2011," says Conn.
In his statement, Conn also takes issue with how several media outlets have portrayed the events surrounding the bra-removal incident, including a headline that read "Police force woman to remove her bra."
"Let me be abundantly clear that at no time was there any application of force throughout this entire process," says Conn. "The woman was verbally directed to remove her bra as well as rings, bracelets and necklaces which she was cooperative in doing."
Chief Conn's statement did not include a timeline for when changes to the policy would take effect -- if the service determines it needs to be altered.