Montreal police under investigation after allegations of racist conduct by officers
Montreal police face scrutiny after allegations that officers targeted Black and Arab residents during arrests, prompting an inquiry and calls for faster body camera rollout.
City mayor condemns alleged racist and hateful acts
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada publicly expressed strong indignation on Saturday, June 13, 2026, over allegations that Montreal police officers committed racist and hateful acts during arrests. She said such behaviour has no place in Montreal’s institutions and addressed residents of Montréal-Nord who have long felt targeted or unheard. The mayor’s comments came during a morning press conference following a social media post noting municipal work with the provincial government to accelerate the implementation of body-worn cameras within the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
The mayor acknowledged community anger and urged those who have felt profiled to come forward, promising the city is listening. Her statements reflect wider public frustration after circulation of disturbing accounts that prompted both municipal and provincial responses. Martinez Ferrada emphasized accountability and the need for swift, transparent measures to rebuild trust.
Investigation targets 16 officers at Station 39
SPVM Chief Fady Dagher confirmed on Friday night that 16 officers assigned to Station 39 in Montréal-Nord are the subject of an active investigation. The inquiry follows allegations that officers used racist language and hateful conduct toward Black and Arab individuals during interventions. Dagher called the situation alarming and said investigators are treating the complaints seriously while work continues to establish facts.
Police oversight bodies are involved and internal disciplinary procedures may follow the criminal investigation, depending on findings. The SPVM has not released the names of the officers under investigation, citing procedural and privacy reasons, but the chief indicated the force will cooperate with independent oversight. The department also faces renewed scrutiny over past complaints from residents who said they felt profiled yet saw little follow-up.
Political leaders and public figures react across Quebec
The allegations triggered a wave of reactions from provincial politicians and party leaders over the weekend. Quebec’s premier, Christine Fréchette, and Minister of Public Security Ian Lafrenière both described the reports as deeply concerning and urged a full and transparent investigation. Leaders from the Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois — Charles Milliard and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, respectively — also issued statements calling for clarity and accountability.
Community organizations and civil rights advocates expressed outrage and demanded immediate steps to protect vulnerable groups and restore confidence in policing. Demonstrations of support for residents of Montréal-Nord and for victims of alleged misconduct appeared across social media, while local grassroots groups called for accessible complaint processes and independent oversight improvements.
Calls to accelerate body-worn camera deployment
In response to the allegations, municipal officials reiterated plans to speed up deployment of body-worn cameras within the SPVM in collaboration with the provincial government. The mayor and other city representatives framed the technology as a key tool to increase transparency and provide objective evidence during police interventions. Officials said accelerating the rollout could help clarify disputed incidents and reduce community tensions.
Police unions and civil liberties groups have previously debated camera use, with concerns raised about privacy, data retention, and operational rules. Municipal authorities say they are working to balance those considerations while setting clear policies about when cameras must be activated and how footage is stored and accessed. The current announcements point to an effort to harmonize technical, legal, and community safeguards before broad implementation.
Community outreach and the history of complaints in Montréal-Nord
Montréal-Nord has a documented history of strained relations between residents and police, with multiple complaints over the years alleging racial profiling and excessive use of force. The mayor specifically addressed those who said they felt surveilled or who complained in the past without feeling heard. Local community leaders stress that rebuilding trust will require more than investigations; they want structural reforms, sustained dialogue, and independent monitoring.
Neighborhood groups have urged the city and province to involve affected communities directly in policy design and oversight mechanisms. Advocates also called for a public timeline for reforms and promised to hold elected officials and police leadership accountable for concrete results. The current investigation has revived calls for a comprehensive review of policing practices in the borough.
The city has committed to regular updates as the inquiry progresses.
Officials have said more details will be provided when appropriate, but community representatives insist on timely transparency to prevent further erosion of public confidence.
Evidence-gathering is ongoing and authorities say they will share findings through established channels once investigative and legal constraints allow.
Independent oversight agencies are expected to review both the investigation’s conduct and any resulting disciplinary actions to ensure accountability.
Support services for affected individuals and families have been mobilized by local organizations and the municipality, which is coordinating referrals to counseling and legal assistance where needed.
The mayor reiterated the municipality’s commitment to addressing systemic issues and to listening to residents’ experiences as part of long-term solutions.
The coming days are likely to include further public statements from political leaders, updates from the SPVM, and renewed calls from community groups for concrete, timely reforms that address alleged discriminatory policing and rebuild trust across Montréal-Nord and the wider city.
