Montreal police are set to deliver an update on Tuesday regarding the controversy surrounding Station 39 in the Montréal-Nord borough, where a group of officers has been accused of engaging in racial profiling. The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) publicized the allegations in June during a late-night news conference led by Chief Fady Dagher. Dagher disclosed that 16 officers stationed at Station 39 were under investigation for allegedly committing racist and hateful acts targeting Black and Arab individuals during police stops. Consequently, Dagher announced the disbandment of the 16-member patrol, following reports of misconduct by the officers’ colleagues.
The SPVM will discuss strategies to combat racism in a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday. This meeting was initially planned for July 8 but was postponed due to a shooting incident in Montreal that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a police officer. The event will commence at 6 p.m. at city hall and will be open to the public, with online streaming available. The presentation to the city’s public security commission by the SPVM will delve into the specifics of the alleged misconduct by several officers at Station 39, as well as outline the police department’s efforts to amend its culture and implement changes at the Montréal-Nord police station. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions after registering before the conclusion of the presentation.
Following the scandal’s emergence, community leaders and residents of Montréal-Nord expressed their dismay, citing that racial profiling has been an ongoing issue. Dardia Joseph, a lawyer and deputy director at the Clinique Juridique de Saint-Michel, emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in addressing the situation. She highlighted the need for tangible actions and genuine apologies to the affected residents. The SPVM’s revised street check policy in 2025 raised questions about the effectiveness of the implemented changes, urging officials to clarify the actual impact of these guidelines.
Tuesday’s meeting will also focus on rebuilding community trust through direct engagement and outreach initiatives. Fo Niemi, the director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), stressed the significance of incorporating the perspectives of affected individuals for a comprehensive understanding of the situation. Recommendations from local groups include placing Station 39 under civilian command and establishing an independent citizen oversight committee to monitor, document, and ensure accountability. Additionally, aligning public safety objectives with social and economic development is advised, as these issues are interconnected. As of now, three officers from Station 39 have been suspended, three reassigned to administrative duties, and the rest transferred to other units within the police department, with potential criminal charges looming for some officers, as mentioned by Chief Dagher in June. The Quebec Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions confirmed that no criminal proceedings requests had been submitted by Montreal police regarding the events highlighted in the SPVM’s press conference. However, investigations are ongoing, with prosecutors providing legal advice to the SPVM.
