Content updated on June 18, 2024.
Police officers, judges and lawyers must act honestly and respect the rights and dignity of all. If you witness anything to the contrary, you can lodge a complaint. Here's how.
Setting an example: a duty
Police officers, judges and lawyers play an important role in upholding the law and individual rights. For each of these three professions, a code of conduct (or code of ethics) has been established and must be heeded at all times.
Several other professionals are bound by a code of conduct and ethics. This applies to other peace officers and to notaries.
The authority that police officers and judges exercise requires them to behave in an exemplary manner so that they inspire public trust. A police officer or judge must always act impartially, honestly and respectfully. For example, they must not:
- Ridicule someone in the course of their duties;
- Accept money or an advantage from someone over whom they have authority;
- Treat someone differently because of their gender identity, origin or social status;
- Use force or a weapon unjustifiably or recklessly.
Lawyers must demonstrate loyalty and independence. For example, they may not:
- Act against their clients’ interests;
- Charge unreasonable fees;
- Neglect possible ways of settling a dispute;
- Deprive clients of explanations about how their case is progressing.
When a police officer, judge or lawyer fails to comply with the rules of conduct, anyone who witnesses the breach may lodge a complaint.
In assessing the actions, words or behaviour for which a complaint was made, they must be put into context.
Going to the right recourse
The body responsible for handling ethical complaints differs depending on the profession and, sometimes, the employing organization:
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP;
- Any other police officer or peace officer authorized to practice in Québec (Sûreté du Québec, municipal police services, Indigenous police services): Police Ethics Commissioner;
- Provincially appointed judge (Court of Québec, Tribunal des droits de la personne, Tribunal des professions, municipal courts): Conseil de la magistrature du Québec;
- Administrative tribunal judge (Tribunal administratif du Québec/TAQ, Tribunal administratif du travail/TAT, Tribunal administratif du logement/TAL, Tribunal administratif des marchés financiers): Conseil de la justice administrative;
- Federally appointed judge (Québec Superior Court, Québec Court of Appeal, among others): Canadian Judicial Council;
- Lawyer: Bureau du syndic of the Barreau du Québec;
- Notary: The Chambre des notaires du Québec’s Direction des enquêtes et du contentieux.
Problems?
In most cases, it is possible to have a decision reviewed or a judgment appealed. Contact the appeal body if you are dissatisfied with the initial court or tribunal decision.
The Protecteur du citoyen handles complaints concerning the quality of the services received from the Police Ethics Commissioner or from an administrative tribunal (TAL, TAQ, TAT). Note, however, that the Protecteur cannot amend or overturn decisions by these organizations.
Important: the Protecteur du citoyen cannot act regarding the other forms of recourse listed above.
Also see: Need help? Know where to go
