Seven officers fired, a force under scrutiny: Can Montreal police rebuild public trust?

Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher has pledged transparency as he leads the city's force through a major misconduct scandal. On Monday, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) fired seven officers accused of racism, discrimination, and mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. The firings represent "an unprecedented and historic" day, Dagher declared.

The officers implicated include both men and women from two stations, one in Montreal North and the other downtown. Dagher praised the remaining 99% of officers for their conduct.

While Dagher's efforts at transparency have been received positively, critics argue that the firings do not fully address the systemic issues that allowed the misconduct to occur. Daniele-Jocelyne Otou, executive director of Montreal's Black Healing Centre, contends that the firings are a PR move that skirts around accountability. Ricardo Lamour, a community worker and human rights advocate, believes the chief's "proximity brand" is cracking under pressure.

The allegations against the officers were first reported earlier this year after internal complaints about alleged racism and criminal misconduct in the Montreal North patrol team, which was later disbanded. Another station, 21 in downtown Montreal, faced accusations of mistreating homeless individuals, including an officer who allegedly urinated on an unhoused person. The SPVM announced recently that an officer may face criminal charges for concealing evidence in a domestic violence case from 2025.

Dagher has referred the cases to the Crown prosecutor's office, which will decide whether to lay criminal charges. The way the SPVM has handled major developments has drawn further criticism for its abrupt scheduling of press conferences, often late in the day and before the weekend. Experts suggest this strategy is part of a broader public relations plan aimed at controlling the narrative surrounding the police department's problems.