VAL D'OR, Que. — The head of the provincial police force says he expects calm to return to a northwestern Quebec town where eight officers were recently suspended after they were accused of abusing native women.
Martin Prud'Homme says there's no crisis in Val d'Or, despite reports of dozens of local officers calling in sick over the weekend after their colleagues were suspended.
The director of the Quebec provincial police told reporters today in Val d'Or he hopes to meet with officers and expects a gradual return to work.
Prud'Homme says police are already implementing new measures: patrol vehicles are now equipped with cameras and social workers are joining police patrols in the city's downtown.
He says while the force needs to review its police-training procedures, the detachment has a good reputation.
Aboriginal leaders from across Quebec are also gathering in that town today to discuss the allegations.
Last week, Radio-Canada's investigative "Enquete" program broadcast interviews with various women who accused officers of assault and abuse of power over a period going back several years.
Prud'Homme says none of the eight suspended officers are facing sexual misconduct allegations.
The probe into the alleged incidents was transferred to Montreal police amid criticism the provincial force was investigating its own members.
