Kerfuffle in the uniform of the SQ

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Uniforms rejuvenated by the Sûreté du Québec are at the heart of a kerfuffle.

Kathryne Lamontagne

Tuesday, 26 September, 2017 00:00

UPDATE
Tuesday, 26 September, 2017 00:00

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Failures in controls, manufacturing defects, delivery delays : uniforms rejuvenated by the Sûreté du Québec are at the heart of a kerfuffle, learned our parliamentary Bureau.

The Sûreté du Québec, unveiled in may 2016 the future color of his uniform. Once olive green, pants, caps, and flak jackets are designed to turn black. Shirts, white and beige, leave for their place in the khaki, which characterizes the service for the last 60 years.

The 5526 police officers and provincial officers had to put their hands on their clothes in the spring of 2017. They are still waiting. “There is nothing back”, confirms Pierre Veilleux, president of the Association of provincial police of Quebec (APPQ).

According to Mr. Veilleux, the suppliers have encountered some difficulties in the manufacture of clothing. Among other things, of the pockets were poorly sewn on the pants and the design of the shirts was not in conformity with the quotation of the base.

All is not lost. The police have received the covers as well as vests in addition to their cap. “But several members complained that the crest was stitched through,” quipped Mr. Veilleux.

In the trash

The SQ confirmed all of these issues. The pieces of non-compliance were returned to the different suppliers selected in the tender. The “vast majority” of them get back to work. Some are struggling, however, to deliver sufficient quantity of, recognizes lieutenant Jason Allard.

“In the contract, they shall provide. Without it, it’s on to the next,” says Mr. Allard. The coins with items referring to the police must be destroyed, several elements may well end up in the trash. “What they are doing with, after, it is up to suppliers,” says he, without getting wet more.

“Guenilloux”

During this time, some police officers struggling with old shirts worn are frustrated. “The stocks of the old uniform have been exhausted, and the new is not returned. We no more shirts to spare. This is not complicated, there are those who have the air of guenilloux”, illustrates the trade-union leader.

These statements astonish the lieutenant Allard, which is reassuring. “If a manager or a police officer comes in and says that he no longer has a shirt, that it is no longer able to dress, we will dress as you confirm, it is certain”, he says.

Timeline

May 2016

The SQ reveals the colors of his new uniform. The 5526 police officers and provincial officers had to be able to wear it in the spring of 2017.

Fall 2016

The high-ranking officers of the SQ get their new uniform. “It is they who have made the pilot project,” says lieutenant Jason Allard. It was small amounts, for testing.”

Summer 2017

The police officers receive the cap and the cover jacket bullet-proof. The design of the shirts and pants has failed. The parts that are non-compliant are sent back to the supplier.

Fall 2017

The SQ should receive the uniforms conform to specifications in mid-October. The distribution of the missing parts should be done by region.

2018 winter

All the police officers from the SQ should be their new uniform, consisting of pants, shirts, cap cover and bullet-proof.

Fall 2018

The last element of the new uniform, the coat, should be handed over to the police. It is a delay of 18 months compared to the original schedule.