Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher has fired seven officers in an unprecedented move following a misconduct scandal involving allegations of racism, discrimination, and mistreatment of vulnerable people. While the chief emphasizes transparency and breaking a culture of silence, community advocates and researchers argue the dismissals fail to address underlying institutional conditions within the force.
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal announced the dismissals, touching roughly one per cent of the force. Five of the dismissed officers operated out of Station 39 in Montreal North, while two worked at Station 21 downtown.
Misconduct Allegations at Station 39 and Station 21
Internal complaints launched the initial investigation into a patrol team in Montreal North in March.
Separate allegations emerged at downtown Station 21 regarding the mistreatment of unhoused individuals. These claims included an accusation that an officer urinated on an unhoused person.
Additional investigations revealed further misconduct across the department. Police announced last week that an officer could face criminal charges for allegedly concealing evidence in a 2025 domestic violence case. Other reports involve an officer who allegedly posed for photographs mocking suspects under arrest in humiliating positions.
Did You Know? Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher stated that the seven dismissed officers had turned in their guns and badges during what he described as an unprecedented and historic day for the department.
Montreal police union intends to challenge officer dismissals
The Montreal police union, known as La Fraternité des policiers et policières de Montréal or the Montreal Police Brotherhood, intends to challenge the dismissals. Union president Yves Francoeur told members that while any substantiated wrongdoing violates police values, the administrative process used to revoke the officers’ security clearances and accreditation was unprecedented and raised fundamental questions of law.
Dagher defended the measure by stating that Montreal police consulted city lawyers prior to executing the administrative dismissals. He noted that the affected officers may contest their firings and seek reinstatement through the force’s disciplinary committee.
Expert Insight: Administrative dismissals bypass traditional internal disciplinary timelines, which creates immediate friction with organized labor.
Advocates warn firings ignore systemic problems inside police department
Community advocates and researchers interviewed by Global News raised concerns that focusing solely on punishing individual officers avoids systemic problems. Daniele-Jocelyne Otou, executive director of the Black Healing Centre, argued that publicizing individual firings does not prove institutional conditions have changed.
Ricardo Lamour, a human rights advocate, criticized the department’s public relations approach as an attempt to control the narrative. Meanwhile, retired police officer Pietro Poletti told the Montreal Gazette that the leadership problems inside the SPVM start at the top, suggesting the force requires a restructuring.
Quebec’s Minister of Internal Security, Guy Lapointe Jr., stated that the allegations are extremely troubling and unacceptable if proven true. Lapointe emphasized that police officers must maintain the public’s trust, noting that the premier gave him a clear mandate to work on public safety.
SPVM fires seven officers over racism and misconduct allegations
Why were the seven Montreal police officers fired?
The SPVM fired the seven officers following allegations involving racism, discrimination, and the mistreatment of vulnerable people. Five officers were stationed at Station 39 in Montreal North, and two were based at Station 21 downtown.
What specific allegations sparked the initial investigations?
Investigations began in March after internal complaints alleged that a patrol team in Montreal North engaged in racism and criminal misconduct, including reports that officers cut the hair of racialized citizens and kept it as trophies.
How is the police union reacting to the dismissals?
The Montreal Police Brotherhood announced it intends to challenge the seven dismissals. Union president Yves Francoeur described the administrative dismissal process as entirely unprecedented and non-compliant with labor relations history.
How will the upcoming legal challenges from the police union affect public trust in the SPVM’s disciplinary process?
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