A fourth SPVM police officer has been suspended in connection with the allegations of racism and misconduct at Station 39 in Montreal North.
Montreal police say the alleged offences took place while the officer was working for the night patrol unit at the station that has since been disbanded.
The suspension began last Wednesday.
It’s believed the officer was one of the 16 who were removed from patrol duties and placed in positions without public contact as the investigation into those allegations continues.
“The SPVM reiterates that discriminatory or racist behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, whether within its staff or towards citizens,” the force said in a news release.
Three officers were previously suspended, though one of those may have been suspended in a separate matter that was not necessarily related to racism. Montreal’s police chief Fady Dagher has indicated criminal charges are a possibility.
READ MORE: Montreal police chief vows to rebuild trust after racial profiling allegations in Montreal North
Among the allegations are that officers cut the hair of racialized citizens to turn it into “trophies.” Dagher said the reports of haircutting were “part of the allegations.”
The allegations spurred a tidal wave of condemnation and calls for action by politicians and community groups.
The SPVM investigation is being handled by its professional standards division.
–With files from The Canadian Press
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