Costa Labos, high-ranking Montreal police officer, suspended

Montreal police Chief Philippe Pichet has suspended one of his top officers after receiving information from provincial police.

Pichet confirmed the news late Thursday afternoon.

Radio-Canada has learned the suspended officer is Costa Labos, the former head of internal affairs at the Montreal police service.

"Following the information submitted by the Sûreté du Québec, I have taken the decision to relieve Chief-Insp. Costa Labos of his functions, effective immediately for an indeterminate period until all the light is shed on the matter," Pichet wrote in an email to Radio-Canada.

Labos under investigation

In March, Radio-Canada reported that Labos was under investigation by the SQ for allegedly fabricating evidence.

Labos has been at the centre of controversy for the aggressive investigation of an officer who was seen having lunch with a journalist.

• Montreal police officer subject of criminal investigation

The SQ had already looked into this case last year, and Pichet announced at a news conference in June that prosecutors had decided not to lay any charges against Labos.

• No criminal charges for Costa Labos, police officer accused of lying to a judge

Pichet said at the time he considered the matter closed.

Sometime after that, the SQ launched a second investigation into Labos.