'It is still fragile': Quebec makes public report on restructuring of SPVM

One year after taking over as interim chief of the Montreal police service, Martin Prud'homme says much has been fixed or is in the process of being fixed.

In a report made public by the Quebec government Tuesday,Prud'hommesays a newSPVMadministrationcan be establishedin a much improved work climate.

However, he warns, "the balance remains fragile," and headvisesthe city and the government to opt for "prudence, stability and continuity" when choosing a new police chief.

In a Tuesday news conference, Quebec's Minister of Public SafetyGeneviveGuilbaultsaid Prud'homme's report is a positive step forward.

"A lot of work has been done,"she said, although she noted that after only a year of restructuring, there's moreto do.

"We feel the police service is on the right track now,"

Guilbaultsaid making Prud'homme's finalreport public should help restore confidence in Montreal's police.

"People will be able to read it and see what really happened and what has been done in the last year," she said."I think what we are reading today in the final report is encouraging for theSPVM."

Looking forward, she saidshe agrees withPrud'homme's assertion thatthe police force now needs continuity and stability.

SPVMrestructuring began one year ago

Prud'hommewas appointed as interim chief by former Liberal public security minister MartinCoiteuxfollowing the suspension of former chief PhilippePichet.

Pichetwas appointed in the summer of 2015 following a recommendation by former mayor DenisCoderre.

Among his recent findings,Prud'hommediscovered that 251 ofMontreal's753 police investigators still need to obtain the specific diploma required by law. A two-year action plan should enable them to catch up, he says.

'Judicious follow-up': ValriePlante

Prud'hommewill officially leave his post at theSPVMat the end of December to return to his position as director of provincial police, theSretduQubec, in January.

A new chief will be selected withPrud'homme'srecommendations in mind,Guilbaultsaid.

Among those recommendations, Prud'hommesaid the new chief should be appointed for no more than five years enoughtime to train senior executives internally and complete the restructuring of the department.

Though he does not mention anybody by name, he suggests picking a member of the current steering committee "with the specific purpose of continuing and consolidating the work of the provisional administration."

Of the four members of the committee,Prud'hommesuggestschoosingone of the two assistant directors who come from outside the SPVM,"in order to minimize the impacts on the organization."

Guilbault said she endorses that recommendation.

The two assistant directors are LineCarbonneauandSylvainCaron, both appointed to assist Prud'homme at the end of 2017.

Carbonneauretired from her position as deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2012 after 37 years of service.

Caron, a former deputy director general of the SQ, recently retired after 36 years in the provincial police force.

Montreal Mayor ValriePlantesays she'll bring together a selection committee for the new SPVMhead, but the job will probably go toCarbonneauorCaron.

"We will do a judicious follow-up on this report with the new person who will take the helm of the organization," Plantesaid.