Quebec’s provincial police force has suspended eight officers accused of abuse of power and assault involving aboriginal women in the remote mining town of Val-d’Or.
The accused officers have been suspended with pay during the investigation.
Montreal Police assumed control over the investigation after concern was raised regarding the Quebec provincial police force investigating its own members. The accused officers remained on duty after allegations were made in May.
Nine officers have been accused of 14 allegations including two of a sexual nature, however one has since died.
Earlier this week Radio-Canada’s investigative “Enquete” program broadcast interviews with various women, including one who is alleging police officers took her to a remote road in northwestern Quebec and asked her to perform oral sex for $200.
Another woman claimed officers broke her cell phone, threw her shoes in the snow, and abandoned her a kilometre from her house.
Provincial police Captain Guy Lapointe says the alleged abuse “is unacceptable and in no way reflects the values of Quebec provincial police.”
Quebec’s Public Security Minister is urging other women who have been assaulted or abused to report the incidents to police.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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