Former police chief of Mashteuiatsh Innu community accused of sexual assault
Mathieu Launière was arrested in March for sexual assault and trespassing, police watchdog says
The former police chief of the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh, located in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, is accused of sexual assault and trespassing, according to Quebec's police watchdog.
Mathieu Launière was arrested by the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) in March and later released.
The charges stem from events that occurred in 2013, said the watchdog in a news release. The BEI didn't provide further details on the incident but said the accusations were a result of a months-long investigation.
Launière became director of public security for the community in 2022, according to a Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan - Mashteuiatsh Facebook post. He was suspended from his role in 2024, but no explanation was given at the time.
Launière was not present for his court appearance Thursday morning at the Roberval, Que., courthouse. His lawyer, Jean-Marc Fradette, said his client denies any accusations against him.
Written by Charlotte Lepage, with files from Radio-Canada's Mireille Chayer