Quebec probes racism claims after Montreal police unit's sudden dismantling

Quebec’s police ethics commissioner has opened a file to review a complaint about racism and discrimination within the Montreal police department. The Red Coalition submitted the complaint after a night patrol unit in Montréal-Nord was dismantled. The Red Coalition claims officers at Station 39 racially profiled and harassed local residents. It also alleges retaliation against employees who reported the abuses. Following these accusations, the Montreal police department reassigned 14 officers and suspended two others from the station.

Prosecutors are now deciding whether to press criminal charges. The police ethics commissioner’s office has not confirmed if a full investigation will take place. It stated that such a step would only occur if an officer is referred to the administrative tribunal on police ethics. The complaint centres on alleged misconduct at Station 39. The reassignment and suspension of officers mark the first administrative response. The ethics commissioner’s review remains in its early stages.