Only 38 complaints against the SQ, have led to accusations

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The vast majority of criminal investigations conducted by the Sûreté du Québec police to conclude that the complaint is unfounded.

Michael Nguyen

Saturday, 15 July 2017 22:56

UPDATE
Saturday, 15 July 2017 22:56

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Barely 5% of criminal investigations by the Sûreté du Québec on its own police officers since 2007 have led to convictions, reveal documents released by the police.

In the last 10 years, the SQ led no less than 725 criminal investigations on its own members. The complaints are varied, ranging from fraud to assault through the sexual assault or dangerous driving.

But of this number, the vast majority of the complaints were classified as ” unfounded “, according to a document made public by the Act of access to information. 79 cases are still in progress.

Photo BEN PELOSSE

Guy Lapointe, Captain SQ

Absolutions

Since 2007, only 38 complaints resulted in a finding of guilt. This includes, among others, seven cases of fraud, five assaults and two sexual assaults. Of this number, only five were sentenced to a term of incarceration. But almost half are drawn to good account, as they were able to take advantage of an absolution, that is to say, a lack of a criminal record.

These figures do not surprise Me Mia Manocchio, president of the Association québécoise des avocats et avocates de la défense, which reminds us that in order to obtain absolution, it must be demonstrated that the option is in the best interests of the accused, but also of the company.

“The case law indicates that if it is a police officer, unless the circumstances are exceptional, it can in general obtain absolution,” she said. But it will often be refused in very severe cases or if the crime was committed in the exercise of its functions. “

The advantage to the police, she adds, is that they do not have a criminal record. Because of the time that a representative of the forces of the order is convicted of an offence in scope by means criminal, he is immediately dismissed.

And in all cases, the end of the judicial process does not mean that the troubles are over.

“Even if a policeman is acquitted or gets a discharge, he must face a disciplinary committee,” explains captain Guy Lapointe, the spokesman of the Sûreté du Québec.

Photo MARTIN ALARIE

Me Mia Manocchio, Lawyer

Discipline

In this case, he adds, the committee will examine on a balance of probabilities, that is to say which version is more credible. In criminal cases, the burden is much higher, since it is necessary to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of an accused person.

He gives the example of a police officer guilty of producing a false document. If he has obtained the discharge, he was still sentenced to a suspension of 60 days. Another police officer guilty of driving while impaired was also fired without a criminal record, but he has been demoted from sergeant to officer for a period of one year.

All in all, the opp has approximately 5600 officers.

Police officers from the SQ respondents by their service from 2007 to 2017

Number of police officers referred to : 725

Unfounded complaints : 608

Complaints : 38

Folder : 79