Quebec releases report by interim chief critical of Montreal police

Montreal’s suspended police chief did not take the necessary steps to reassure the public about the integrity of the police department, says a report from the interim chief.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said he asked Mayor Valerie Plante to get city council’s opinion on Philippe Pichet’s future after he released the preliminary report on Monday by interim chief Martin Prud’homme.

Pichet was suspended with pay in December and replaced by Prud’homme, who took a leave from his duties as chief of the provincial police to temporarily manage the city’s force.

Pichet was suspended after a report by Michel Bouchard, who found irregularities in the Montreal police force including allegations about the practices of the internal investigations department.