Our guiding principles

We carry out our mission and actions in a way that puts the public interest first :

• by acting in accordance with high ethical and customer service standards;
• by managing the resources entrusted to us in the best possible way;
• by demonstrating transparency while respecting the various confidentiality laws in force.

Our mission 

The Commissaire à la déontologie policière (Police Ethics Commissioner) ensures compliance with the Code of Ethics of Quebec Police Officers. In accordance with the Police Act, this organization receives and handles complaints and reports towards anyone subjects to the Code. Through its training, information and awareness-raising activities, it strives to prevent breaches of the Code.

Our vision

Accessible, credible and effective, recourse to the Commissaire à la déontologie policière helps to strenghten the bond of trust between the public and those subject to the Code, and to ensure the professionnal conduct of the latter, while respecting the rights of very individual.

Our values

The following values inspire the conduct of all the Commissioner's actions, as well as those of the Deputy Commissioner and all staff members:

• INDEPENDENCE. To ensure civilian oversight of the actions of those subject to the Code of Ethics of Québec Police Officers. The Commissioner is not tied to police organizations, and makes decisions free from external interference or pressure.
• IMPARTIALITY. In handling complaints and reports, the Commissioner is impartial and fair to all concerned.
• PROFESSIONALISM. Carry out our duties with competence and honesty, with a constant concern for a job well done.
• RESPECT. Treat people with consideration and courtesy.
• EQUITY. Treat people fairly, without discrimination, taking into account the needs and realities of our clients.

Our mandate

Our mandate is to receive, examine and process complaints and reports made against police officers and other peace officers who have breached the Code of Ethics of Québec Police Officers.

Our handling of complaints and reports is done with impartiality, independence, transparency and rigor.

The complaints and the reports we receive can be filed by any citizen and must concern a person subject to the Code of Ethics of Quebec Police Officers :

• police officers employed by a Quebec police force of working throughout Quebec, with the exception of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers;
• wildlife protection officers;
• special constables (Assemblée nationale, Canadien National, Canadien Pacifique, Commissariat aux incendies de la Ville de Québec, Hydro-Québec, Ministère de la sécurité publique, Ministère du Conseil exécutif, Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, Revenu Québec, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, Société protectrice des animaux de Montréal, Société protectrice des animaux de l’Estrie, Société protectrice des animaux de Québec, Société de transport de Montréal, Sûreté du Québec, Université de Montréal, Université Laval, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières);
• highway controllers;
• senior executives and investigators from the Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption (CLCC);
• senior executives and investigators from the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI).

In order to be able to deal with these appels, these persons, subject to the Code, must have derogated from their duty while in contact with the public and in the performance of their duties.

Our actions

We undertake a number of actions to fulfill our mission and mandate :

• Inform, equip and sensitize those subject to the Code of Ethics of Québec Police Officers, their employers and the public, with the goal of preventing the commission of ethical breaches. 
• Receive and analyze complaints and reports to determine whether they are admissible, i.e., whether they fall within our jurisdiction.
  Refer admissible complaints to conciliation, when the context so requires, and conduct this procedure.
• In some cases, to order and carry out an investigation.
• Transmit recommendations and observations to persons subject to the Code in order to help prevent a derogatory act and eliminate any discriminatory conduct.
• After analyzing the investigation file, decide whether to summon the persons involved in the complaint by filing a summons with the Tribunal administratif de déontologie policière (Administrative Tribunal for Police Ethics), or to dismiss the complaint if it is deemed unfounded in law or if there is insufficient evidence.
• Represent clients before the Tribunal, as well as before higher courts (Court of Quebec, Superior Court, etc.). It is important to note that the lawyer represents then the Commissioner, who is the prosecutor, and not the complainant or reporting person.

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