Quebec’s police oversight agency, known as the BEI, is under intense scrutiny and facing public mistrust while investigating the police shooting that led to the death of a 15-year-old boy in Longueuil, Quebec. Brigitte Bishop, the agency’s director, emphasized the BEI’s autonomy and fairness during a rare press briefing on Tuesday.
The incident, which occurred in the South Shore community, involved the fatal shooting of Nooran Rezay, a high school student, by a police officer following a 911 call reporting armed individuals. Despite claims from Nooran’s family that he was unarmed and carrying only a backpack of books, concerns have arisen regarding the investigation’s credibility.
Bishop addressed the growing skepticism within the community by urging trust in the BEI’s investigative process and emphasizing the agency’s independence. She acknowledged reports of citizens attempting to gather evidence independently, signaling a lack of confidence in the BEI’s impartiality.
Established in 2016, the BEI is tasked with examining incidents where individuals are harmed or killed during police actions. However, due to its broad scope, the agency does not exclusively focus on cases involving potential police misconduct, leading to limited criminal charges resulting from its investigations.
Despite conducting over 450 inquiries since its inception, the BEI has seen only two cases resulting in charges against officers. Critics have raised concerns about the agency’s investigative approach, pointing out that nearly half of its staff comprises former law enforcement officers, potentially influencing the outcomes of investigations.
In response to criticisms, Bishop confirmed that Longueuil police officers involved in the shooting have engaged with BEI investigators, although the specifics of these interactions remain undisclosed. Police officers have the right to remain silent during BEI inquiries, as reaffirmed by a 2024 court ruling recognizing the criminal nature of the investigations.
The officer involved in Nooran’s shooting has been placed on indefinite leave by the Longueuil police, who stated their cooperation with the ongoing BEI investigation. The community continues to mourn the tragic incident, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the investigative process.