Police watchdog investigated Kativik Regional Police Force twice in 2019

KUUJJUAQ—The Kativik Regional Police Force leadership provided a summary of investigations and disciplinary measures against officers during 2019 on the second day of regional government meetings in February.

Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, the independent police watchdog, is called in to investigate any situation involving the police where a civilian dies, is seriously injured or injured by an officer’s firearm.

The bureau also investigates allegations of a sexual nature against officers or allegations of criminal offence when the victim is an Indigenous person.

Police chief Jean-Pierre Larose told councillors two investigations had been opened by the bureau in 2019.

A report from one of the investigations has been submitted to the Crown attorney and the other is ongoing, Larose said, though he did not elaborate on what the cases involved.

The BEI did start an investigation into the death of a 15-year-old girl in Salluit who was the subject of a police search on Jan. 27. The girl was found dead about 12 hours after police finished their search.

The report from this investigation was submitted to the director of criminal and penal prosecutions and the Quebec coroner’s office on Oct. 9. Prosecutors will decide whether charges should be laid against officers in the case.

The BEI also opened 10 files in 2019 on criminal allegations against the KRPF. As of the Feb. 26 meeting, two reports had been submitted to the Crown attorney, and in another case one officer is facing charges. One of the files was closed by the BEI and six are ongoing.

Again, Larose did not provide details on the cases.

In 2019, the director of criminal and penal prosecutions released nine decisions on investigations involving the KRPF, according to the department’s website. None of these decisions resulted in charges being laid.

From cases occurring before 2019, three investigations into police involvement in a civilian’s death or injury are ongoing, as are two investigations into allegations of criminal behaviour by police.

There were also 17 complaints made in 2019 to the police ethics commissioner, who examines cases where police may have violated the provincial police officers’ code of ethics.

Of the decisions made so far, two have led to investigations, five have been mediated and the commission closed six.

Internally, the KRPF opened two disciplinary files in 2019. Both led to the resignation of the officers before sanctions were put in place.

Disciplinary sanctions were applied in relation to a file opened before 2019.

Larose told council it is important to himself and the force to have good-quality officers.

He is working on a new process for reporting issues with officers and applying disciplinary measures. The motive behind this new project, he said, is to see officers act more responsibly.

“Also, all of the procedures and disciplinary procedures must be a little bit more quick and simple to apply for us with no delays and all that,” Larose said.

He said the new project would be presented at the next council meeting in Tasiujaq in May.

Another way the KRPF is working to filter out bad seeds from their ranks is through a training module for potential recruits.

Larose said during the latest hiring round in November 2019, 17 applicants completed the three-hour Inuit cultural awareness training, co-developed by Laval University.

It includes an introductory video for potential recruits, which interviewers then ask the potential recruits about to test their sensitivity and willingness to learn about Inuit culture prior to hiring.

One applicant failed the examination that followed the training and was not hired as a result, Larose said.