Aboriginal women's complaints against Quebec police turned over to Crown
Montreal police assigned to investigate allegations of police abuse in Val-d'Or
Quebec Crown prosecutors are now deciding whether to lay criminal charges as a result of a series of investigations into allegations of abuse of Aboriginal women by provincial police officers and, in some cases, members of other forces.
Montreal police were assigned to investigate the complaints of Aboriginal women across the province last year, after Radio-Canada's Enquête reported allegations that Sûreté du Québec officers have physically and sexually abused Aboriginal women in the Val-d'Or region for decades.
- Enquête investigation into Val-d'Or (English)
- Aboriginal women's claims of police sex abuse under investigation
The province's Director of Penal and Criminal Prosecutions (DPCP) released a statement on Friday, saying Montreal police have handed over the results of multiple investigations.
A committee of experienced prosecutors will now analyze those cases, said DPCP spokesman René Verret.
"Now they will have to take the time necessary to decide if there will be accusations in this case," Verret said. "They'll have to analyze the evidence that was presented by the (Montreal) police."
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In some cases, Verret said, prosecutors may ask Montreal police to carry out additional interviews with complainants and witnesses.
The Crown said it will make public its decision as to whether to pursue charges in each individual case and explain why.