Montreal

Val-d'Or police cruisers to get cameras after abuse allegations

The Sûreté du Québec says it wants to re-establish confidence in the population there, following allegations some officers have been mistreating and abusing aboriginal women in the community.

The cameras are expected to be operation by the end of 2015

Quebec provincial police says it wants to re-establish confidence in the Val d'Or population. (Radio-Canada)

The Sûreté du Québec will install cameras in its cruisers in Val-d'Or.

The Quebec provincial police says it wants to re-establish confidence in the population there, following allegations some officers have been mistreating and abusing aboriginal women in the community.

The decision comes after Radio-Canada's investigative program Enquête aired a shocking report in which aboriginal women in Val-d'Or alleged they were sexually assaulted by provincial police officers.

Eight officers allegedly involved have been suspended or put on administrative duties since the report aired.

Pierre Veilleux, the president of the Quebec provincial police union (APPQ), told CBC Montreal's Daybreak on Tuesday that the cameras were a step forward but he hoped it would go further.

"We'll work with cruisers cameras but eventually I would like to adopt body cameras," said Veilleux.

The investigation into the allegations was handed over to the Montreal police department from the SQ, so that the provincial police are not investigating their own officers.

The cameras are expected to be in operation in December.