SQ knew about misconduct allegations in Val-d'Or 2 years before Enqute report, retired officer testifies

The Sret du Qubec knew about physical and sexual misconduct allegations against officersin Val-d'Or in 2013, a retired provincial police officer testified earlier this week.

That's two years before Radio-Canada's investigative news program Enqutebrought the allegations to light sparking a wave of outrage and the launch of an inquiry into relations between Indigenous people and public services in Quebec, known as the Viens Commission.

The 2015 Enqutereport delved into allegations that SQ officers had paid Indigenous women in Val-d'Or, a town over 500 kilometres from Montreal,for sex acts.

The women also alleged thatofficers would drive them out to a rural area and leave them there.

Testifying before the ViensCommission this week,Jean Vicaire who spent over two decades with the SQ and worked onbuilding better relations between the force and Indigenous people said a local politician tipped him off to the allegations in 2013.

At the time, he was on secondment in the nearby community of Lac-Simon.

When he went back to the SQ, hetold his superior about the allegations, Vicairetestified. He said the man responded by asking if a specific officer had been named.

"The word is stunned," said Vicaire, about his reaction to that response.

He told the inquiry he believed an investigation was carried out.

Vicaire said it's important for police to have a respectful approach when it comes to relations with Indigenous people, and engage in frequent dialogue with communities.

The SQ declined to be interviewed because the matter is before an inquiry.

With files fromCatou MacKinnon