The unit chief involved in the intervention that preceded the death of Nicous D’Andre Spring at the Montreal Detention Establishment (EDM) has been relieved of his duties, learned The Press.
This is the second suspension in this case, after that of a corrections officer announced on Wednesday.
The information came primarily from prison sources. It was confirmed by the Ministry of Public Security (MSP).
“The MSP also confirms that a manager of the Montreal detention facility was relieved of his duties on the evening of December 29,” said spokeswoman Louise Quintin. “For reasons of confidentiality, no personal information will be disclosed. »
Friday, The Press revealed that a series of lapses in the use of pepper spray took place during the intervention which ended in the death of Mr. Spring, 21, according to contemporaneous reports of the events. The acts described go against the obligations of the personnel of the establishment as detailed in a recent report by the Québec Ombudsman.
Officers objected to certain acts, which the head of unit involved ignored, according to these reports.
Thursday, we learned that Mr. Spring was illegally detained, since he should have been released on December 23. He was facing charges of assault, assaulting a peace officer, carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with an order.
The Ministry of Public Security (MSP) said Wednesday that the young black man died following a “physical intervention” by correctional officers on December 24. The president of the correctional officers’ union said Mr Spring “became unwell” following the use of pepper spray ordered by a manager.
Since then, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has opened a criminal investigation and the MSP has launched an administrative investigation. The coroner’s office must also investigate the causes and circumstances of the death of the inmate at the EDM, also called Bordeaux prison.
The MSP adds that it will carry out “a careful analysis of the intervention by the Directorate General for Security” of the ministry.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
A candlelight vigil in memory of Nicous D’Andre Spring was held Friday evening at Benny Park, in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district.
A candlelight vigil in memory of Mr. Spring was held Friday evening at Benny Park in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district.