Longueuil, Quebec’s police chief is under scrutiny for allegedly providing incorrect details concerning the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old to Quebec’s police oversight body, as per documents. Mayor Catherine Fournier is now urging Quebec’s public security minister to investigate Police Chief Patrick Bélanger and the Longueuil police department.
The incident occurred when police responded to a 911 call reporting armed individuals in a Longueuil neighborhood, resulting in the death of high school student Nooran Rezayi in September. Despite his family’s claims that he was unarmed and only carrying school materials in a backpack, the independent investigative agency, the BEI, confirmed no firearm was found.
Email correspondence from the City of Longueuil revealed that the BEI Director contacted Bélanger questioning the delay in informing the watchdog about the shooting. The BEI was informed over an hour and a half after the incident occurred, raising concerns.
Bishop, the BEI head, contested Bélanger’s justifications for the delay, highlighting discrepancies in information provided. The police chief defended the need for officer interviews with witnesses due to the nature of the 911 call, emphasizing ensuring public safety.
Mayor Fournier expressed concerns over the handling of the case, citing breaches of legal obligations post-Nooran’s death. She emphasized the importance of transparency and credibility within the organization, urging a thorough investigation.
Acknowledging the mayor’s actions, Bélanger committed the police force to full cooperation with any investigation. The Longueuil police affirmed their intent to support the BEI inquiry and maintain transparency and professionalism. Quebec’s Public Security Minister is reviewing the request for an investigation. In response, the Rezayi family lawyers expressed shock and criticized the alleged attempts to hinder the investigation, announcing plans to update their lawsuit against the city and police force.