Quebec Home Safety Minister Ian Lafrenière has appointed an impartial observer to supervise the investigations into racism allegations involving Montreal police officers, over per week after the pressure dismantled a patrol unit in Montréal-Nord and suspended two officers.
Lafrenière introduced Saturday that lawyer Anne-Marie Boisvert will monitor each the prison and disciplinary investigations being carried out by the Montreal police service and supply him with a report containing her findings and suggestions.
On June 12, Montreal police management stated they’d dismantled an evening patrol unit inside Station 39, reassigned 14 officers from public-facing duties, and suspended two others for alleged “discriminatory and racist” behaviour towards residents. Police Chief Fady Dagher has stated case information involving the 2 suspended officers are with prosecutors who will decide whether or not to put prison fees.
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La Presse and Radio-Canada reported that the allegations embody that officers reduce the hair of racialized residents to show it into “trophies.” Dagher has stated the reviews of haircutting have been “a part of the allegations.”
In a message posted on X, the minister stated Boisvert’s mandate is to make sure the investigations are carried out with “integrity and impartiality.” He stated she should instantly notify him of any irregularities or lack of cooperation by the Montreal police service.
Boisvert, a former dean of the Université de Montréal’s legislation school, additionally chaired the Quebec bar’s prison legislation committee for a few years.
Lafrenière additionally stated a public inquiry shouldn’t be excluded as soon as the prison investigation is accomplished.
On Thursday, 4 organizations — Montréal-Nord social justice group Hoodstock, the Saint-Michel authorized clinic, Quebec civil rights group Ligue des droits et libertés and the Canadian Civil Liberties Affiliation — despatched a letter to the Quebec authorities requesting a public inquiry into police racism and racial profiling inside the Montreal police service.
On Friday, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette stated that she didn’t rule out launching a public investigation however that the federal government desires to see the outcomes of the continued investigation earlier than deciding on any additional steps.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 20, 2026.
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