While the news of Montreal police spying on journalists to uncover their sources was only revealed this week, the full court press to expose the internal leaks was launched last spring.
In an audio recording obtained by TVA Nouvelles, SPVM Assistant Director Mario Guérin told about 50 senior police officials that they must find those at fault, and put an end to what he called a "leak culture."
The meeting was held at the Riviera Reception Hall on Henri-Bourassa Blvd. on April 26.
Guérin took exception to reports earlier that month, following violent anti-police brutality protests in Montreal North on April 7. Several articles following the riots, in which SPVM Station 39 was among the buildings vandalized, revealed high ranking officials had ordered officers to stand down and make no arrests in a bid to not stir up racial tensions in the area, calling it a political decision.
On the recording, the Assistant Director can be heard telling the senior staff members that a journalist had been given very privileged information from someone very close to the case, and that he would find the source.
Throughout the recording Guérin denounces passing information to the media. He added it's abnormal for management to sit back and do nothing while internal secrets are being shared.