City announces special police force
The Mayor of Montreal has announced the creation of a special police squad in order to fight corruption and collusion.
Mayor Applebaum says the new squad will have unrestricted access to city contracts, work sites, and municipal buildings.
"They will be allowed to ask questions to city employees, as well as to those who do business with the city," the Mayor says.
The 20-person team will be comprised of officers and investigators. It will be independent but will be collaborating with other police forces to share information.
"This is the main goal, the main fact, how can we share our expertise, our intelligence, our knowledge," says Montreal police chief Marc Parent.
Parent says the unit will be given a budget of several million dollars, perhaps 3 or 4 million, but exact numbers are not available.
Meanwhile, keeping with transparency, Applebaum announced he will be meeting with investigators of the Charbonneau Commission Friday afternoon.
"They contacted my office on Tuesday and asked to meet with me."
He says he will not reveal any details of their discussion.
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