Following the allegations of fabricated evidence that rocked Montreal's police department, the city's top cop made a bold move Tuesday.
Chief of Police Philippe Pichet ordered all active and future internal affairs investigations be handed over to the Sûreté du Québec.
The move comes just one week after four former officers came forward alleging the unit fabricated evidence against them just as they were about to blow the whistle on some high-ranking officers more than a year ago.
Last Friday Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux announced provincial police would be investigating the claims, but the investigation has since expanded.
"We have a number of allegations we have to investigate," said Coiteux. "We've constituted a solid team of independent investigators co-directed by the SQ and also Mme. Madeleine Giauque."
The investigation team now includes RCMP, Quebec City, Longueuil and Gatineau police forces as well as Quebec’s Independent Investigations Bureau.