A Sûreté du Québec investigator accused of harassing a woman and beating another woman and a baby in the context of domestic violence must wear an anti-reconciliation bracelet pending trial. This is possibly the first time that this new protection tool has been imposed on a police officer.
Investigator Sergeant Danny Pépin of the SQ appeared detained at the Laval courthouse on June 28. The 44-year-old man from Saint-Eustache faces serious charges in two cases. First, he is charged with criminal harassment of a woman. A crime that would have taken place for several months in a marital context.
In the second case, Danny Pépin is accused of assaulting a woman over a period of several years. He is also accused of having inflicted injuries on this woman on two occasions. He is also accused of hitting an infant under the age of 1.
The acts of which Danny Pépin is accused were not committed within the framework of his functions, specified to The Press Lt. Ann Mathieu of the SQ. Sergeant Pépin was suspended on half pay following his arrest. “No one is immune to a situation like this,” says Lieutenant Mathieu, recalling the importance of asking for help.
It sends a very positive sign to society and to women who are victims of domestic violence. It shows that regardless of the aggressor’s profession, regardless of his status and his aura, he is not above the law.
Mathilde Trou, spokesperson for the Regroupement of houses for women victims of domestic violence
“It sends a strong message. Some women are reluctant, because their spouse has an important status, as a doctor and a policeman. We encourage them to denounce, ”added Mr.me Hole.
New measure
After spending a few days in prison, Sergeant Pépin was released on July 4 under strict conditions. He will thus have to reside in a therapy house for the treatment of addictions until further notice and will not have to be within a kilometer around the residences of several people. He will also be prohibited from being in a specific city on the north shore of Montreal.
Above all, Danny Pépin will have to wear an anti-reconciliation bracelet for the duration of the legal proceedings as part of his conditions of release. This irremovable device attached to the ankle and equipped with a geolocation tool was deployed by the Quebec government last year in the wake of a wave of feminicides.
In a context of conjugal violence or sexual exploitation, the anti-reconciliation bracelet makes it possible to prevent a man from approaching his victim. If the offender is close to the victim, the victim will be notified on their cell phone. The device will also alert the police who can intervene quickly.
” THE [bracelet] can help save lives and restore peace of mind to many women,” explained the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, last May.
The anti-reconciliation bracelet was implanted in 2022 in Laval and in several regions of Quebec, then last spring in Montreal, Estrie, Côte-Nord and Centre-du-Québec. Since the deployment of this unique measure in the country, 116 bracelets have been imposed, a constant increase in recent months.
“It’s really very new. It is a measure that increases the feeling of security, but it is not an ultimate measure. The victim may feel constantly on alert. Some victims will refuse this option, ”explains Karine Mac Donald, criminologist and spokesperson for the CAVAC Network (Centres for assistance to victims of criminal acts).
According to Mathilde Trou, from the Regrouping of houses for women victims of domestic violence, the announcement of the deployment of these bracelets had a “significant” impact for women. “It can really secure them,” she rejoices. “But does it create a false feeling? We are in the dark, ”she nuances.
This is why the Regroupement would like to obtain more information from the Ministry of Public Security about the effects of the bracelet in order to better support women in the field.
Danny Pépin must return to court next October for the rest of the legal process. Joined by The Presshis lawyer did not wish to comment on the case.