Quebec police chief announces retirement from force two years after suspension for alleged criminal behavior
Martin Prud’homme, head of Quebec’s provincial police, announced his retirement from the force on Aug. 30, two years after he was suspended from his duties.
“The last two years have been a trial for my family and my loved ones. I have decided to put an end to this dispute that has already deprived us of more than two years of our lives,” said Prud'homme in a press release Monday.
In March 2019, Prud’homme was suspended with pay from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) at the request of Minister of Public Security Geneviève Guilbault, due to allegations of criminal behaviour.
At the time, the government said the decision came about for “administrative” reasons.
Less than a year later, in November 2020, Prud’homme claimed that the government had illegally formed a committee investigating his behaviour, and requested that the Quebec Superior Court stop the review.
According to his court application, the committee was investigating the source of sensitive leaks to the media regarding cases tied to the anti-corruption police force, UPAC.
Prud’homme said he was targeted for a 2017 phone call he made to Quebec's head prosecutor, Annick Murphy, during which he discussed rumours that he was connected to the leaks.
Despite Prud’homme’s efforts, the investigation continued, even after it was announced in March 2020 that the SQ leader would not face charges.
But now that Prud’homme has announced his retirement from the force, Guilbault has requested the investigation be dropped, thanks to an “agreement between the Quebec government and Mr. Prud’homme.”
The agreement “takes into account his confirmed departure from the public service, as well as the withdrawal of the legal action he had undertaken,” said Guilbeaut in a press release.
Both Prud’homme and Guilbeaut say no further comments will be made, as the agreement’s details are confidential.
While the province searches for a new head of the SQ, Johanne Beausoleil will continue to serve as the interim director in the meantime.
-- With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prime Minister Trudeau pledges more aid and loans to Ukraine at G7 summit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more money for Ukraine -- including a $200-million loan through the International Monetary Fund -- at the end of the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Germany.

G7 leaders end summit pledging to hurt Russia economically
Leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies struck a united stance Tuesday to support Ukraine for 'as long as necessary' as Russia's invasion grinds on, and said they would explore far-reaching steps to cap Kremlin income from oil sales that are financing the war.
Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.
'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
Germany: former Nazi guard, 101, jailed for aiding murder
A 101-year-old man was convicted in Germany of 3,518 counts of accessory to murder on Tuesday for serving at the Nazis' Sachsenhausen concentration camp during the Second World War.
Mary Mara, 'ER' and 'Ray Donovan' actress, dead at 61
Mary Mara, an actress known for roles on 'ER' and 'Ray Donovan,' has died, her manager, Craig Dorfman, said in a statement to CNN. She was 61.
More than half of Canadians oppose Oath of Allegiance to the Queen
Most people in Canada do not think people should have to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, according to a poll ahead of Canada Day.
Woman trampled, killed by horses at central Alberta rodeo: RCMP
A 30-year-old woman is dead after falling off a horse at the Ponoka Stampede on Sunday.