Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada reacted Saturday with dismay to allegations of discriminatory, hateful and racist behaviour by cops of the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) within the Montreal North borough.
At a press convention at Metropolis Corridor on Saturday morning, she known as for calm the day after the dismantling of a complete staff of SPVM patrol officers from neighbourhood station 39, whereas acknowledging that this case was as soon as once more undermining the bond of belief between residents and the police.
“The priority, anger, and questions that this case raises are completely regular,” stated Martinez Ferrada. “And the bond of belief between the inhabitants and those that are there to guard us is, effectively, weakened.”
“So as we speak, I name for calm, I name for everybody to behave responsibly,” she continued.
On Friday night, SPVM director Fady Dagher introduced that two officers of the police drive have been suspended following allegations of discriminatory and racist behaviour in direction of residents of Montreal North, an space of the metropolis with a robust presence of seen minority teams and a historical past of strained relations with regulation enforcement.
“Shocked by the magnitude and the seriousness of the scenario for police chief to carry press convention at 1030 on Friday night time,” stated Fo Nemi, Govt director at CRARR. “It signifies that one thing have to be very, very, very, shall we embrace, important.”
“We applaud the Director of Mr. Dagher, Chief, I imply, that is the primary Chief of Police within the metropolis of Montreal that has the audacity to take corrective actions, quick corrective motion towards officers which have been taking part in racist conduct,” stated Alain Babineau, Director of racial profiling & public security, purple coalition.
These two officers might face felony prices. Their case is presently being reviewed by the Director of Legal and Penal Prosecutions.
“No younger police officer comes on service, a police service, and unexpectedly launch into these type of egregious racist conduct,” stated Babineau. “These officers got here on a job they usually have been coached they usually have been allowed to commerce these atrocities for a very long time.”
The SPVM launched an investigation in March following inner complaints alleging “unacceptable actions and behavior” by officers at Station 39. Dagher indicated that the investigation continues to be ongoing, however he deemed it applicable to disband the staff in gentle of the obtainable data.
Dagher specified that 14 different officers from the identical publish had been transferred or reassigned to duties that don’t require any contact with the general public.
A number of media retailers had reported sure data, together with that cops had allegedly lower the hair of racialized residents to make “trophies.” Dagher indicated at a press convention that this was “a part of the allegations.”
The cops concerned on this case reportedly have three to 4 years of expertise. Two ladies are a part of the group of officers, the others are males.
Physique cameras
The mayor of Montreal indicated that she had spoken with the deputy premier and Minister of Inner Safety, Ian Lafrenière, notably to advance the undertaking on the sporting of physique surveillance cameras built-in into the uniform of SPVM cops.
“This is a vital device that may successfully strengthen transparency. Higher documenting interventions offers the sensation of defending each residents and cops,” she confused at a press convention.
“The whole justice system behind the usage of cameras is the largest dialog we must have with the Quebec authorities.”
The Metropolis of Montreal is already planning to speculate $40 million in deploying physique cameras and intervention cameras on police autos. Martinez Ferrada defined that authorized questions stay concerning the usage of these instruments earlier than they’re put into service.
” I want to stress is the municipal administration, the mayor has to dedicate extra assets to making sure that these efforts are sustained, they’re supported by enough assets and that goes past mainly simply equipping cops with the physique cams,” stated Fo Niemi. “But it surely’s about bringing police companies nearer to the individuals, making them extra accessible, making them extra equitable and making them non-biased and put it this manner, non-racist by way of serving the multiracial inhabitants of Montreal North and past.”
In response to the mayor of Montreal, “systemic racism exists” and it have to be spoken about brazenly to seek out methods to right the scenario. She finds consolation in the truth that it was fellow cops who denounced the scenario.
“The police service has modified lately and I’m happy to see that cops have additionally spoken out about what occurred; it’s a signal that the interior tradition can also be altering,” stated Martinez Ferrada.
The Montreal Police Brotherhood additionally reacted to the scenario.
In an announcement launched Saturday, the union stated it “takes be aware” of the allegations of racism focusing on members of a piece staff at neighbourhood station no. 39. It emphasizes “that any type of racism is insupportable and contravenes its values and people of Montreal cops.”
“What’s alleged is completely unacceptable and surprising,” acknowledges the president of the Fraternity, Yves Francoeur.
The union factors out, nevertheless, that “the presumption of innocence applies to all its members and that the majority of Montreal’s 4,600 cops act with full respect and in line with requirements.”
Fréchette apprehensive
Premier Christine Fréchette additionally expressed nice concern.
Les informations rapportées sont extrêmement préoccupantes. Les gestes allégués, s’ils sont confirmés, sont incompatibles avec les valeurs de respect et d’intégrité qui doivent guider l’motion de tous nos corps policiers.
Je prends acte des mesures déjà mises en place par la… https://t.co/9e9ry65eiA
— Christine Fréchette (@CFrechette) June 13, 2026
“The alleged actions, if confirmed, are incompatible with the values of respect and integrity that should information the actions of all our police forces (…) It’s important that the total fact be revealed rapidly about this case and that applicable measures be utilized,” his message on the social community X, printed late Friday night, acknowledged.
For its half, Québec solidaire has known as for “the felony investigation to be expanded to shed full gentle on the scope and seriousness of the info.”
“Are these practices restricted to station 39?” requested QS spokesperson Ruba Ghazal. “I’m calling on Christine Fréchette to make sure that this investigation will eradicate the racist and abhorrent practices which have plagued this police station for a few years.”
– With data from Coralie Laplante
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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