In an effort to transform its organizational culture, the Montreal police service has introduced a comprehensive action plan to rebuild community trust and combat discrimination following reports of racial profiling by a group of officers in the city’s northern area. The plan involves immediate disciplinary measures and ongoing oversight, focusing on transparent communication and shared accountability with local residents.
The announcement was made at a public meeting with the city’s public security commission at city hall on Tuesday evening, where Chief Fady Dagher addressed the controversy and calls for change from numerous residents. The allegations of racial profiling by officers in the Montréal-Nord borough were disclosed in June during a late-night news conference led by Dagher, revealing that 16 officers at Station 39 were under investigation for alleged racist and hateful conduct against Black and Arab individuals during police stops. Consequently, Dagher announced the disbandment of the 16-member patrol unit, following reports from the officers’ colleagues.
During the meeting, Dagher confirmed that three officers have been suspended, with the investigation ongoing and the latest suspension occurring on June 18. The police service’s new approach includes encouraging internal and external whistleblowing to address misconduct effectively. Officials from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) emphasized that all future policy changes will be developed collaboratively with local stakeholders and community groups.
Chief Dagher acknowledged the challenging and lengthy process of implementing change, stating that there is still much work ahead. He faced a room filled with concerned citizens and online viewers, responding to questions not only about alleged racism but also about expenditures related to defending the police service in cases of misconduct. Dagher clarified that the disbandment of the unit does not imply that all 16 officers are implicated in misconduct, underscoring that the internal investigation is ongoing.
Cedric Couture, the deputy director of the Montreal police responsible for neighborhood policing, mentioned that a new team was deployed on July 13 to replace the disbanded unit in the community. The allegations have reignited longstanding worries about racism and racial profiling in Montréal-Nord, prompting residents to call for more information on the investigation.
Community advocate Joel DeBellefeuille highlighted documented complaints of racial profiling and problematic police interactions spanning 17 years, expressing frustration that issues persist despite past concerns. Jennifer Sidney voiced community fears of the SPVM and sought assurance on when systemic racism within the police force would be addressed. Dagher empathized with those feeling apprehensive and outlined concrete steps being taken to enhance the situation, emphasizing ongoing criminal investigations and suspensions.
During the meeting, a resident questioned the concept of racial superiority, to which Dagher responded by emphasizing equality among all individuals. The police have not yet requested criminal proceedings against the officers mentioned during the June news conference, with Dagher affirming close collaboration with Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) to address racial profiling and discrimination systematically, acknowledging the incremental progress despite the frustrating nature of the process.
