The head of the unit involved in the intervention that preceded the death of Nicous D’Andre Spring at the Montreal Detention Center (EDM) has been suspended, La Presse learned.
Posted on 12/31/2022
This is the second suspension in the case, after a law enforcement official announced on Wednesday.
The information came primarily from prison sources. This has been confirmed by the Ministry of Public Security (MSP).
“The MSP also confirms that a manager at the Montreal Detention Center was relieved of his duties on the evening of December 29,” spokeswoman Louise Quintin said. “For reasons of confidentiality, no personal data will be passed on. »
On Friday, La Presse revealed that a series of errors in the use of pepper spray took place during the intervention, which according to contemporary accounts of the events ended in the death of Mr Spring, 21. The actions described violate the obligations of the institution’s staff, as set out in a recent report by the Québec Ombudsman.
According to these reports, officials objected to certain actions which the relevant head of unit ignored.
On Thursday we learned that Mr Spring was being unlawfully detained as he was due to be released on December 23. He was charged with assault, assaulting a peace officer, carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disobeying an order.
The Ministry of Public Safety (MSP) said on Wednesday that the black boy died on December 24 after being subjected to “physical intervention” by correctional officers. The president of the correctional officers’ union said Mr Spring “became unwell” following the use of pepper spray ordered by a manager.
Since then, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has launched a criminal investigation and the MSP has launched an administrative inquiry. The coroner’s office must also investigate the causes and circumstances of the inmate’s death at EDM, also known as Bordeaux Prison.
The MSP adds that it will carry out “a careful analysis of the intervention of the Ministry’s Directorate-General for Security”.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
A candlelight vigil was held Friday night at Benny Park in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood to commemorate Nicous D’Andre Spring.
A candlelight vigil was held in Benny Park in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood on Friday night to commemorate Mr Spring.