In an effort to transform its organizational culture, the Montreal police service has introduced a comprehensive response plan to rebuild community trust and combat discrimination in response to accusations of racial profiling by a group of officers in the city’s northern area.
The strategy involves immediate disciplinary measures combined with ongoing oversight, with a focus on transparent communication and shared accountability with local residents. The announcement was made during a public meeting at city hall with the city’s public security commission, drawing a large crowd eager to hear Chief Fady Dagher address the scandal and call for change.
The allegations of racial profiling by officers at Station 39 in Montreal-Nord were disclosed in June during a late-night press conference led by Dagher. He disclosed that 16 officers were under investigation for alleged racist and hateful behavior towards Black and Arab individuals during police stops, leading to the disbandment of the 16-member patrol.
Dagher mentioned that the investigation was initiated after the officers’ colleagues reported the misconduct. As of the latest update, three officers have been suspended, with the investigation ongoing since June 18.
A key aspect of the new police service strategy is promoting internal and external whistleblowing to uncover misconduct. Officials from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) emphasized that future policy changes will involve close collaboration with neighborhood stakeholders and community groups.
During the public meeting, Dagher acknowledged that effecting change is a challenging and prolonged process, indicating that more work lies ahead. Attendees, both in-person and online, engaged in discussions with Dagher, questioning not only the alleged racism but also the expenses incurred in defending the police service against misconduct accusations.
Dagher clarified that disbanding the unit does not imply that all 16 officers are guilty of misconduct and assured that the internal investigation continues. He also noted that the dismantled unit was one of seven groups working in shifts at the station.
Cedric Couture, the deputy director responsible for neighborhood policing, mentioned that a new team was deployed on July 13 to replace the disbanded unit in the community.
The renewed allegations have reignited concerns about racism and racial profiling in Montreal-Nord, prompting residents to demand more transparency about the ongoing investigation. Community members expressed fears about the SPVM and questioned when systemic racism within the police force would be eliminated.
Dagher empathized with the community’s concerns and defended the concrete actions taken to address the situation, highlighting ongoing criminal investigations and suspensions. He stressed the importance of continuing efforts to improve the relationship between the police service and the community.
In response to questions about criminal proceedings, a spokesperson for the prosecutor stated that no formal request had been submitted regarding the officers mentioned in the June news conference. Dagher reassured the public of the police’s collaboration with Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) and emphasized the incremental progress being made in combating racial profiling and discrimination.