The SPVM is overhauling its communications division.
Ian Lafreniere will no longer serve as commander of the communications division of the Montreal police.
Police chief Philippe Pichet made the announcement Monday afternoon, saying Lafreniere would be reassigned after 20 years with the police.
Pichet called Lafreniere’s role as the face of the police “very demanding” and said it was a difficult decision to move the commander into a new role. He would not specify what that role would be or whether he would be promoted to a new rank.
A civilian will serve as the new head of the SPVM's communications division, reporting directly to Pichet. Marie-Claude Dandenault will take on the role and oversee two sections, one headed up by a police officer and another headed up by a civilian.
The police officer will handle media requests and the civilian will handle general communications and image.
While approved by the city of Montreal's director general, the decision to remove Lafreniere and overhaul the department was made by the SPVM in order to streamline communications.
Last year, the SPVM received upwards of 25,000 media requests for information.
