The family of Abisay Cruz is questioning the Montreal police’s use of a controversial restraint technique during the incident that led to his death. They are seeking answers as to why officers employed a method that the police department claims is not part of their training. Abisay’s brother, Josué Cruz, expressed a desire to understand the use of force and why a different approach was not taken considering Abisay’s mental state.
Abisay, a father and one of five siblings, passed away on March 30, 2025, following a police intervention in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood. The use of the restraint method during the incident has raised concerns and fueled distrust towards law enforcement.
In a recent report, coroner Géhane Kamel stated that Abisay’s death was accidental, with the hogtie technique likely playing a role in contributing to the tragedy. This method involves binding an individual’s limbs behind their back while they are face-down, a practice deemed unsafe by several police departments due to human rights and safety issues.
The sequence of events unfolded after reports of Abisay in distress on a balcony, leading to his tragic encounter with law enforcement. The coroner’s report highlighted Abisay’s sleep deprivation, impending deportation, and high levels of cocaine in his system as factors in his demise.
Despite the SPVM and Quebec’s police academy denying the teaching of the hogtie technique, its use during Abisay’s arrest has sparked calls for accountability and a ban on the method. The lack of intervention by a supervising officer as Abisay’s condition worsened was also noted in the report.
Following Abisay’s death, the SPVM stated that actions were taken concerning the involved officers and supervisors. The coroner recommended prohibiting the hogtie technique and implementing naloxone kits and body cameras for police responding to crises, a measure the police department pledged to follow through on.
Community organizer Stephanie Germain emphasized the significance of the coroner’s findings in shedding light on police actions, urging authorities to provide transparent answers to the community. Josué Cruz echoed the sentiment, demanding clarity on police training, decision-making processes, and accountability in light of his brother’s tragic death.
