2 Quebec provincial police officers arrested, facing sex-related charges, watchdog says

Quebec's police watchdog laid sexual assault charges on Thursday against two Quebec provincial police officers.

The two officers, Louis‐Philippe Tessier and Maxime Denis, both allegedly sexually assaulted a person in 2022. 

Both officers worked in the regional municipality of Montcalm, Que., in the Lanaudière region. They were arrested Thursday and each charged with one count of sexual assault.

A spokesperson for Quebec's provincial police force, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), declined to comment on the charges except to say the allegations are related to an incident that happened while the officers were on duty.

He said the two officers are currently suspended under the terms of the force's collective agreement.

The BEI, Quebec's independent police bureau, investigates cases involving police, including when a civilian dies or is seriously injured. It also investigates any allegation against a police officer concerning a sexual offence committed in the performance of duties.