Montreal police racism probe: evidence sent to prosecutors, four officers suspended

Evidence from a criminal investigation into racist conduct by Montreal officers has been submitted to Quebec prosecutors. Four officers have been suspended over alleged misconduct at Station 39.

Montreal North officers face prosecution after racism and trophy-hair allegations

Evidence gathered in a criminal investigation into racist and discriminatory conduct by officers from a Montreal neighbourhood station has been formally submitted to Quebec prosecutors, Global News Crime reports.

The SPVM confirmed Monday that material collected as part of its probe into Station 39 — a patrol post serving the multicultural Montreal-North area — has been sent to the Le Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP), which will determine the appropriate next steps. Related investigations remain ongoing, police said, declining to provide further details.

The allegations first came to light in June, when police Chief Fady Dagher announced the disbanding and disarming of a 16-member patrol unit assigned to Montreal North. Officers had been accused of racism, misconduct and criminal behaviour. Among the most disturbing claims: that members of the unit collected the hair of racialized citizens as trophies.

Three officers were suspended that same month. A police spokesperson later specified that two were suspended in connection with one incident, while a third faced suspension over a separate event. A fourth officer was subsequently suspended on Aug. 19 in connection with a third alleged incident.

That fourth suspension was not mentioned at an Aug. 21 news conference at which Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Dagher and Montreal police brotherhood president Yves Francoeur outlined measures intended to rebuild public trust in law enforcement. Police declined to say when Dagher first became aware of the fourth officer's suspension.

In its Monday statement, the SPVM reiterated that discriminatory and racist behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, whether involving officers or members of the public. The service said its professional standards division will continue to advance the investigation and keep the public informed as the process moves forward.

Source: Global News Crime