(Quebec) Quebec will require police forces to report annually on the arbitrary arrests of their officers, who could face disciplinary sanctions if they find evidence of discrimination or racial profiling.
Posted at 10:40am
Public Security Minister François Bonnardel presented his draft law revising the Police Law, the first step for him in reforming the police system, at the Salon Bleu on Wednesday.
As La Presse indicated on Tuesday, he wants to regulate – not ban – arbitrary arrests and fight against racial profiling.
His bill is a rewrite of a piece of legislation introduced by his predecessor, Geneviève Guilbault, in the previous mandate, which died on the order paper.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, PRESS ARCHIVE
Francois Bonnardel
According to the draft law, “the minister shall draw up a policy for police stops, including roadside interceptions, with regard to the police forces and their dependents”. Its policy, which would come into effect two months after the law’s passage, will be integrated into the internal regulations of the police departments. If an agent does not respect this, they could face a disciplinary sanction.
The bill also stipulates that police forces will report random stops, including roadside stops, annually.
“Each year before April 1st, the head of a police unit must submit to the Minister the form and content that he has determined […] a report detailing police stops carried out, including roadside stops carried out under Section 636 of the Road Safety Act,” we can read.
The text of the law adds that a police chief can provide him with “records, statistical data and other information necessary to assess the crime situation and the effectiveness of the action police” as well as “information and documents necessary for the performance of his duties. “.
A provision was added to the Police Act stating that “in the conduct of police investigations and interventions [les corps de police] act independently, free from interference. “.
The bill makes changes to the Police Ethics Committee. It provides support measures for any complainant who claims to be a victim of discrimination or racial profiling; a justice, diversity and inclusion liaison would help. He would have the choice to participate in an arbitration process with the police officer concerned.
The Police Ethics Commission becomes the Administrative Court for Police Ethics. In addition to the sanctions already provided for in the Police Act, the court “can impose on a police officer […] one or more of the following: successful completion of a training course or refresher course, participation in a medical assessment, participation in a service or support program or therapy related to their needs, participation in a community engagement program or social immersion course and community affairs, submit to a surveillance plan, or participate in an administrative follow-up program”.
Quebec is giving police new powers to act faster when a person goes missing. You would have access to more personal information.
Other provisions aim to improve the probation process for offenders.