Major shakeup underway within Montreal police ranks

A senior member of the Montreal police'sinternal affairs division has been shuffledout of his position amid a series of major personnel changes withinthe force, Radio-Canada is reporting.

Chief-Insp. Costa Labos was the subject of a criminal investigation by Quebec provincial police earlier this year. Crown prosecutors decided not to pursue charges.

• No criminal charges for Costa Labos, police officer accused of lying to a judge

Montreal policeChiefPhilippePichet said Laboshad his "full support" when he announced in September that the Crown had dropped the case.

But sources have told Radio-Canada that Laboswas transferred away from internal affairs. More than 40 other officers in the force have also been given new positions.

Pichettook overas police chiefin 2015, and since then has had to confronta number of controversies.

Several members of the SPVM's anti-gang squad were arrested over the summer following allegations they lied to obtain warrants.

• Montreal anti-gang cops charged with perjury, trading for sex

Labos had been suspected of committing a similar offense before the Crown's decision not to press charges.

Pichet also decided in recent months to overhaul the SPVM's communications team, shunting longtime head spokesman,Cmdr. IanLafrenire, to another division.

• Is the Montreal police department in crisis?