Another investigator within the Montreal police team tasked with finding the perpetrator of the criminal fire at Place D’Youville has left. She is the fifth to leave this unit, due to the toxic atmosphere that prevails there.
• Also read: Deadly fire in Old Montreal: four of the eight investigators have left due to a difficult work environment
• Also read: Deadly fire in Old Montreal: police blunders complicate the investigation
Our Investigative Bureau has learned from well-informed sources that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had to urgently recall one of its investigators at the beginning of November, who had been lent to the major crimes unit of the Montreal Police Service (SPVM).
The officer, who has nearly 12 years of seniority with the federal police, had been with the SPVM since 2021. From March 2023, she participated in the investigation into the fire in Old Montreal, in which seven people perished. This was the deadliest fire to occur in the metropolis in nearly 50 years.
Since then, this officer reportedly endured a living hell within her team, according to several sources who confided in our Investigative Bureau on condition of anonymity, as they are not authorized to speak to the media.
“For months, she endured demeaning and demoralizing comments,” one of our informants revealed.
The investigator was reportedly excluded from important decision-making processes, excluded from certain team meetings, and labeled “slow” by an officer, according to our sources.
Work stoppage
Affected by the situation, the officer reportedly sought assistance from the RCMP’s employee assistance service, which advised her immediate withdrawal from the SPVM.
This recommendation was accepted by a superior from the federal police, who accompanied the officer to the SPVM parking lot, where her personal effects were handed over to her.
The woman was then placed on sick leave. The RCMP allegedly ordered her to cut off all contact with members of the SPVM major crimes investigation team, it was learned.
Fifth departure
This officer is the fifth person to leave this unit since the start of the investigation into the fire at Place D’Youville.
Two investigators had requested a change of team in the early weeks of the investigation, while two others left in mid-October.
Our Investigative Bureau had revealed at the time that the investigation was floundering due to certain choices made by the police and that this could affect its outcome.
Neither the SPVM nor the RCMP wished to comment on the specific situation of the officer, citing reasons of confidentiality.
The Montreal police, however, assures that it “does not tolerate any disrespect, misconduct or harassment by members of its staff.”
In cases where they occur, these allegations “are taken seriously and receive immediate attention,” the organization emphasized.
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