Quebec will significantly increase the number of special constables in training in order to increase security in courthouses. From March, up to 144 candidates will be able to register in four cohorts at the National Police Academy (ENPQ).
This announcement comes a little more than a week after the stabbing of a court interpreter at the Longueuil courthouse, an event which revived the question of security in these establishments where many criminal individuals pass through. Since then, all users of this courthouse must undergo a metal detector search.
Until recently, there was only one cohort of approximately 32 constables in training in Quebec. The number of cohorts was then increased to two during the year 2023. Nearly 70 of them were currently trained on an annual basis.
By March, four cohorts of 36 candidates should be in place, for a total of 144 constables trained on an annual basis. Currently, the government estimates that around 110 are missing across Quebec. The province currently has 342 active special constables.
To maintain a feeling of security in courthouses, it was important to speed up the pace. We are taking steps to tackle the shortage.
François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security
The training of a constable takes ten weeks, with eight weeks at the National Police Academy, one week online and a final week serving as integration into a courthouse. Quebec also plans to launch a recruitment campaign to increase the number of registrations for this program.
A welcomed measure
The president of the Union of Special Constables of the Government of Quebec, Franck Perales, welcomes the new government announcements. “It’s going to be considerable and we’re very happy with that. Our discussions have borne fruit,” he said Thursday.
For the future, the question of worker retention will have to be studied closely, however, specifies Mr. Perales. “We are the lowest paid peace officers in Canada. It’s not just about hiring more people, you also have to keep those you train afterwards. We will have to find solutions,” he breathes.
The union leader also hopes to obtain guarantees from the Ministry of Justice regarding metal and X-ray detection equipment. Most courthouses are not equipped with them. In Montreal, metal detectors have been in place for several years now, but in several other municipalities, it is still the visual search that takes precedence.
“We are told that there are analyzes underway to establish a certain timetable in order to provide the palaces where there are the most judicial activities with this equipment. But there is no concrete commitment yet. In short, we hope to have answers from this side,” concludes Mr. Perales.
On Thursday, around ten groups working in the judicial system asked the government to provide more security for them and for all citizens. They demand in particular that all courthouses in Quebec be equipped with permanent security arches and that a sufficient number of special constables be assigned.
The letter is notably signed by criminal and penal prosecutors, defense and legal aid lawyers, Quebec state lawyers, interpreters and translators and members of support staff and government professionals. of Quebec.
With The Canadian Press