Report to recommend Montreal police chief be relieved of his duties

A damning reportis recommending Montreal police Chief Philippe Pichet be relieved of his duties, according to Radio-Canada sources.

The report, on the police force's internal affairs,is expected to be made public Wednesday.It claims the force suffers from systemic management problems.

According to Radio-Canada,Pichetcould be given a choice:resign, be suspended and see the force put under trusteeship, or be dismissed.

This happens as Montreal MayorValriePlanteis on her way back to the city from a climate summit in Chicago, andQuebec Premier PhilippeCouillard's cabinet is scheduled tomeetWednesday morning.

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'Administrative investigation'

The report was written by Michel Bouchard,a former deputy minister of justice who was given the task early this year to conduct an "administrative investigation"of the Montreal police force.

Bouchardwas tasked withexamininghow theSPVM'sinternal investigations workincluding management, coaching and procedures.

The investigation stemmed from allegationsthat theSPVM'sinternal affairs department fabricated evidence againstwhistleblowers.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said at the time that he hadfull confidence in Bouchardto conduct the investigation.

"Mr.Bouchardpossesses vast experience and a flawless reputation, and I'm convinced that he would be able to take an impartial look at the situation and propose the best solutions possible,"Coiteuxsaid in March.

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Pichetand theSPVM

Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderreselected Pichetfor the SPVM'stop role in 2015. He was given a five-year mandate.

Coderresaid at the time Pichet was a man who "adapts to his functions, and when he has to face adversity, he responds to it and can take care of that. He can take the heat."

Pichetfirst joined the force in 1991. He joined its administration in 2005.

He was in charge of co-ordinating the police's response to the student protests that gripped the city in 2012.

When he took the helm of the SPVM, his main priorities were fighting radicalization and cybercrime.

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