Quebec police allege that an officer committed a crime in two incidents filmed; cases referred to police watchdog

[ad_1]

Quebec police (SPVQ) said on Monday that there were reasonable grounds to believe that a police officer had committed a crime in two incidents following a series of videos in recent days showing violent altercations with the public .

The police department did not specify which incidents they were referring to when it issued a press release about its internal investigation.

Both incidents were referred to the Quebec Ministry of Public Security. Citing the “exceptional nature of the events” and an agreement with the province, the SPVQ also agreed to refer the files to the police watchdog, the Bureau des inquiries independent (BEI).

The Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, has mandated the BEI to get involved.

“My responsibility is to ensure that a solid bond of trust is maintained between our citizens and our police officers. The Quebec City Police Department carried out its internal investigation diligently, which led it to make allegations to me. concerning possible criminal offenses, ”Guilbaut said in a press release from the province on Monday morning. “I therefore request that the Independent Investigation Bureau review these allegations as provided for in the Police Act. I salute the speed and thoroughness with which the SPVQ acted in this matter.

The internal investigation of the SPVQ, meanwhile, is still ongoing, police said in the press release.

Last week, four videos surfaced online showing Quebec police officers engaging in violent altercations with the public.

The SPVQ announced last Tuesday that five agents had been suspended, with pay, following the publication of a video of a violent withdrawal of young blacks in front of the Dagobert bar. Of these five agents, three were allegedly involved in a second incident at an Italian restaurant.

Three more videos have since emerged: one inside the Portofino restaurant showing officers kicking and punching a white man on the floor over broken glass, another showing an officer pushing a man into a car. while cursing him, and a fourth appearing to show an officer throwing a white man down a hallway, causing the skin of his head to crack.

It was later revealed that the same officer was involved in at least three of the videos posted last week.

All four videos appear to show the same police team, known as GRIPP, which is responsible for patrolling bars and restaurants and enforcing public health measures related to COVID-19.

More details to come.

[ad_2]