A former police officer and minor league hockey coach in the Montreal suburb of Greenfield Park is facing several charges of alleged sexual assault of boys aged nine to 16 years old at the time.
Longueuil police are asking for the public’s help in identifying potential sexual assault victims in Canada and the United States following the arrest of François (Frank) Lamarre on Tuesday.
“We know it takes a lot of courage for people to come forward when you’re a victim of that type of crime,” Sgt. Patrick Barrière said on Wednesday. “But don’t worry, investigators are there to help.”
Lamarre faces charges of gross indecency, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual touching and invitation to sexual touching involving four complainants.
The alleged offences occurred between 1972 and 1997, according to police. Barrière said it is possible alleged assaults happened before or after that timeframe.
Police say the incidents took place in arenas, at his home in Greenfield Park on Springfield and Campbell streets and in his vehicle.
“He was changing cars quite often,” said Barrière, adding Lamarre drove Cadillacs and Fords.
Lamarre was between 24 and 49 years old at the time. Aside from his career with the Montreal police, he also served as a minor league hockey coach from 1970 to 1980.
Police arrested Lamarre on Tuesday for questioning but he was released under several conditions, including not having contact with minors or alleged victims. He is also barred from going to parks, arenas and community centres — and he cannot be near schools.
Lamarre, who retired from the Montreal police force in 1994, is expected to appear at the courthouse in Longueuil on Dec. 19.
Longueuil police said they are currently in contact with four complainants, but they believe there could be other alleged victims.
“He may have sexually assaulted several other victims at different times and in other circumstances,” police said.
Robert Myles, the borough president of Greenfield Park, told Global News he was first informed of the police investigation when an alleged victim reached out two weeks ago. Myles called the alleged abuse unacceptable.
“Now we are trying to denounce this as much as possible,” he said.
Lamarre is five feet eight inches tall with brown and grey hair and brown eyes. He predominantly speaks French.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Lamarre to call 450-463-7211. All the information shared will be kept confidential by police.
— With files from Global News’ Dan Spector and The Canadian Press
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