Shooting at McDo: two Lévis police officers cleared in ethics
Lévis police fired 11 shots at the suspects during an arrest that went wrong. (Archives)
The two detective sergeants of the Service de police de la Ville de Lévis (SPVL) who opened fire on suspects during an arrest in 2013 in the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant in Quebec did not commit derogatory acts, concludes the Police Ethics Committee.
Michaël Anctil and David Patry had been summoned before the Committee in 2018 following a complaint filed five years earlier by a citizen with the Police Ethics Commissioner.
The complaint concerned the conduct of the two Lévis police officers during an intervention that took place on March 28, 2013 in the driveway entrance to McDonald's located on rue Bouvier, in Quebec City.
Taking part in a tailing operation in an unmarked car, the detective sergeants arrested two individuals suspected of drug trafficking.
The events alleged against the two detective sergeants occurred on March 28, 2013 in the parking lot of this McDonald's restaurant located on rue Bouvier, in Quebec. (Archives)
The fugitives, Maxime Lemay and Philippe St-Antoine, had been hit by projectiles. When they left the hospital, they had been tried and convicted of drug trafficking.
A first quote reproached the police officers for having lacked judgment and discernment and for having endangered the safety of citizens, thus violating article 5 of the Code of Ethics of Quebec Police Officers.< /p>
A second citation aimed only at Detective Sergeant Patry reproached him for having been reckless in the handling of his service weapon (article 11 of the Code) when he had fired at the suspects' vehicle as it fled forward.
After hearing about fifteen witnesses and various experts, particularly in specialized operations, tactical intervention and ballistics, administrative judge Sylvie Séguin determined that Michaël Anctil and David Patry had not departed from the Code of ethics for police officers of Quebec.
While emphasizing that several actions taken by the two detective sergeants differ from the methods taught at the École nationale de police du Québec, the judge considers that they did not lack judgment or discernment considering all the circumstances, their perception of the events and the information they had in their possession.
The suspects were trying to flee in this vehicle when the police opened fire. (Archives)
The decision handed down by the Police Ethics Committee on Monday puts an end to proceedings initiated almost ten years ago.
Recall that following an independent investigation conducted by the Quebec City Police Department, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions decided not to lay criminal charges against the two Lévis police officers.
