Former top Outaouais police official suing over dismissal
The former head of criminal investigations for the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais police was a victim of bullying and psychological harassment by colleagues, a lawsuit contesting his June firing alleges.
Sylvain Tanguay was suspended from his position in early February and dismissed four months later.
The reason for his dismissal isn’t outlined in the lawsuit Tanguay filed in July against his former employer — and neither Tanguay nor the MRC police would comment on why he was terminated.
The lawsuit claims Tanguay was a good employee and member of the police force who went above and beyond in his duties. He had no disciplinary action against him or warnings at work prior to his firing, the lawsuit says.
Tanguay’s suspension in February sent him into “psychological shock” and he had to be hospitalized from March 9 to 22.
In the lawsuit, Tanguay, who was also the former MRC police deputy director of public safety, alleges his colleagues bullied and emotionally harassed him, though the suit doesn’t specify when or how that happened.
“Mr. Tanguay ... was the victim of a grave injustice. He has the intention to vigorously challenge his dismissal and to be reinstated to his position,” said Tanguay’s lawyer, Thomas VilleneuveGagné, in an interview with the Citizen.
Beyond reinstatement, Tanguay is also seeking costs for ongoing court proceedings, the lawsuit says.
The lawyer speaking on behalf of the MRC police said it would not comment but added that it intends to defend itself against the lawsuit.
Tanguay’s lawsuit says he was informed of his suspension by Stéphane Mougeot, head of the MRC police, on Feb. 9.
Tanguay was suspended after a report about his conduct was produced, but the lawsuit does not specify the contents of the report.
The proper rules and procedures concerning officer dismissal were not followed, Tanguay’s suit alleges.
“We cannot get rid of somebody like that. We cannot, for the fun of it, arbitrarily, unjustly, dismiss a police officer who’s an assistant director and who always did well; his evaluations were perfect,” said Villeneuve-Gagné.
“(Tanguay will) take all the necessary steps in order to be compensated in regards to the serious prejudice he and his family members have suffered.”
Tanguay was appointed deputy director of public safety in 2015 and had been employed by the MRC police for 19 years.