Head of Surete du Quebec temporarily suspended; criminal investigation pending

The man who was brought in to clean up corruption in the SQ is now, himself, no longer with the provincial police force after just a year on the job.  

Martin Prud'homme, Director-General of the Surete du Quebec, has been temporarily relieved of his duties.

The one-time interim head of the Montreal Police, Prud'homme was suspended Wednesday in the wake of what Deputy Premier Genevieve Guilbault calls an "allegation relating to a criminal matter."

BREAKING: Public security minister and deputy premier @GGuilbaultCAQ announces head of @sureteduquebec, Martin Prud’homme, is temporarily relieved of his duties. There is an allegation of a criminal infraction. An investigation is underway. #assnat #polqc @CTVMontreal pic.twitter.com/LOqIEJxed7

— Maya Johnson (@MJohnsonCTV) March 6, 2019

Guilbault also announced that Mario Bouchard will take over on an interim basis. 

At Wednesday's press conference, Guilbault insisted that these are criminal allegations, not accusations.

Prud'homme has not been arrested or charged in any criminal matter, she explained, but did not disclose any further details about the investigation or infraction.

"Of course it's a delicate, complex situation," Guilbault said. "We especially want to avoid harming the investigation."

Sources told CTV Montreal's Stephane Giroux that Prud'homme made some enemies within the SQ's hierarchy and police force in 2017.

Prud'homme took up his duties at the Surete du Quebec in 2018, after briefly leading a clean-up of the SPVM. 

While with the SPVM, he removed several high-level administrators.

Still, insiders contacted by CTV Montreal were shocked and surprised by Prud'homme's removal. 

The Bureau des Enquetes Independantes confirmed via a statement that they are launching a criminal investigation at the Public Security Minister's request.