Montreal police 'not reliable,' says brother of man shot by officers

The decision not to charge Montreal police officers in the shooting death of a homeless, mentally ill man last February suggests police are not responsible for their actions anymore, the mans brother says.

Pierre Magloire spoke to CBC Radios Daybreak about yesterday's decision by the Quebec's chief Crown prosecutornot to lay charges in the killing of his brother, Alain Magloire, 41.

Magloire was shot and killed by Montreal police officers outside the Berri bus station in downtown Montreal on Feb. 3.

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At the time, officers said he was wielding a hammer in a threatening manner and refused to co-operate.

The shooting was investigated by Quebecs provincial police force, theSretduQubec.It is standard practice that another police force investigate whenever a police weapon is discharged or a civilian is hurt in the course of a police intervention.

The Crown prosecutors decision not to charge the officers who shot Magloire was based on evidence from the SQ investigation.

Brother "sad and mad"

Pierre Magloire said he had"mixed emotions" about the decision not to press charges.

Im sad and mad at the same time. I was expecting a trial to seek the truth, to find out what really happened, he told Daybreak.

He called the decision strange and worrisome.

Nobodys responsible anymore. When youre a doctor or a lawyer, youre responsible for your actions. Youre liable for what youre doing. Police are not reliable, theyre not responsible for anything anymore, he said.

Magloire said the Crown's decision sends the wrong message.

When you have a policeman shooting four times in a row, in the arm, shoulder and liver and then the heart but youre not responsible? Excuse me, youre responsible. Or at least the system is responsible for teaching you to shoot like that at a person, he told Daybreak.

Beyond seeking justice, Magloire said he wanted a trial so that police procedures could be brought to light and, if necessary, corrected.

I wanted Montreal police to change the way theyre acting with homeless people. Thats the only thing I was looking for, he said.

AlainMagloirehad only ended up living on the streetin themonths just prior to his death, as a result of mental illness.

He had two daughters and many friends,and before his illnesshe had been employed in the field of molecular biology research.

In July, Quebec's coroner called forbetter training for front-line officers in identifying and handling mental health crises.

Coroner Jean Brochu also renewed the call for Montreal police officers to be equipped with Tasers.

Renewed call for independent investigations of police

Pierre Magloire echoed calls for an end to police investigations of other police forces in such cases, a position held by Quebecs coroner, Quebecs Human Rights Commission and the provinces ombudsman, among others.

Previous Quebec governments have promised to create an independent police oversight agency, but it has never happened.

We need a third party to investigate these situations. I would like a commission, an expert inquiry but not policemen investigating other policemen, he said.