Le Lézard
Subjects: PSF, NTA

Criminal Allegations Against Police: New Process for Handling Complaints by Members of the First Nations and Inuits


QUÉBEC, le 9 août 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ministère de la Sécurité publique (MSP) wishes to inform the public of new measures that will be put in place to deal with criminal allegations against police officers where the alleged victim, or complainant, is a member of a First Nation or the Inuit nation. These actions are the result of extensive reflection, as well as consultations with various Indigenous organizations. The MSP committed to a transition guided by principles of integrity, impartiality and transparency that would ensure Indigenous cooperation in the process.

Thus, effective September 17, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) will be responsible for investigating any criminal allegations made by an Indigenous person against a police officer in Québec. It should be remembered that since the 'Val-d'Or" events, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) was responsible for conducting such investigations, with the exception of investigations into allegations of a sexual nature committed by a police officer in the performance of his duties, which were already under the responsibility of the BEI since fall 2016.

To address the concerns expressed by the communities concerned and their representatives, additional measures will also be implemented:

The BEI will endeavour to recruit, as soon as possible, one or more First Nations and Inuit Investigator(s) for greater representation within their organization.

The implementation of the new process, which has been endorsed by the various representatives of the communities and organizations consulted, will be monitored in collaboration with them.

The coming into force of this new process will close Phase 2 of the investigations conducted by the SPVM, namely those involving complaints received after April 5, 2016, which will be reviewed by the independent observer, Me Fannie Lafontaine, once all investigations have been completed and decided by the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DCPP). The report will be made public later.

Highlights

Up to September 17, 2018, individuals wishing to file a complaint may continue to do so with the SPVM at 1-844-615-3118. The selected model was discussed with a working committee that included representatives from the Centre d'amitié autochtone de Val-d'Or, the Conseil de la Nation Anishnabe de Lac Simon, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association, Femmes autochtones du Québec / Quebec Native Women, the Cree Nation Government, the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec, and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, which adopted a resolution in this regard.

Related link :

Regulation respecting the selection procedure and the training of investigators of the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes :

https://www.bei.gouv.qc.ca/lois-et-reglements.html

 

SOURCE Ministère de la Sécurité publique



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