BEI

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes is a specialized police force

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is a government agency responsible for conducting investigations in Quebec. It derives its authority from the Police Act and began its operations in 2016.

To carry out its mission, BEI investigators hold the status of peace officers, along with all the powers and responsibilities that come with it.

Although it reports to the Minister of Public Security, the BEI operates in complete independence. It is not accountable to any police force, which ensures its impartiality and strengthens public trust in its work.

Mandates

Independent Investigations

The BEI investigates when a person is seriously injured, injured by a firearm, or dies following a police intervention or while being held in custody by a police force.

Criminal Allegations

The BEI also handles allegations of sexual criminal offences committed by an on-duty police officer, as well as allegations of criminal offences committed by a police officer — whether on or off duty — when the complainant or victim is an Indigenous person.

Additionally, the Minister of Public Security may mandate the BEI to investigate any allegation involving a criminal offence committed by a police officer or special constable. In exceptional cases, the BEI may be tasked with investigating any other incident involving a peace officer and related to their duties.

Shed Light on Events

When assigned an investigation, the BEI spares no effort in shedding light on the event and the circumstances surrounding it. For each investigation — whether independent or criminal — the BEI collects testimonies, facts, and evidence to reconstruct the event in the most detailed manner, and carefully records all information in a case file.

The team of investigators assigned to the case follows a consistent process marked by rigor and impartiality. Careful examination, analysis, research, and structured interviews with those involved and with witnesses are central to their work. Their mandate is to produce, independently and without external influence, a complete and detailed report.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the BEI submits its final report to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) and, in cases of death, to the Bureau du Coroner. The DPCP then decides whether charges will be laid. However, the Director of the BEI has the authority to end an investigation if they are convinced that the police intervention did not contribute to the death or serious injury, or if the allegation is deemed frivolous and unfounded.

Families of individuals who were injured or killed

As soon as it takes on an investigation involving a person who was seriously injured or who died following a police intervention, the BEI promptly contacts one of the individual’s close relatives. The lead investigator or another designated investigator maintains contact with them throughout the investigation. They may provide information about the investigation’s progress, helping to foster a better understanding of the event, while being careful not to disclose sensitive information that could compromise the investigation.

Support for Indigenous Persons

A liaison officer for First Nations and Inuit is available to provide support to Indigenous individuals throughout the investigation process, whether it involves a criminal allegation or an independent investigation.
To learn more : https://www.bei.gouv.qc.ca/en/pni
To contact the liaison officer confidentially : marjorie.comeau-beaulieu@bei.gouv.qc.ca

To learn more about the BEI
https://www.bei.gouv.qc.ca/en/