Latest officer suspension linked to third incident of racism, Montreal police say

MONTREAL – Montreal police have confirmed that the most recent suspension of an officer stationed in a multicultural neighbourhood is linked to a third incident of alleged racist misconduct.

Police chief Fady Dagher announced in June that a 16-member patrol unit was disbanded and disarmed following allegations of racism, misconduct and criminal behaviour.

Police suspended three of the officers that month, saying they had referred the cases to public prosecutors as they pursued an internal investigation.

In an email, a police spokesperson said two officers had been suspended over a single incident, with a third officer later being suspended in connection with a second, separate event. 

Police say a fourth officer was suspended on Aug. 19, related to a third incident.

Allegations made public in June included claims that officers in the 16-member unit kept the hair of racialized citizens as trophies.

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Dagher and the head of the police brotherhood, Yves Francoeur, held a news conference on Aug. 21 to announce new measures to improve public trust in law enforcement, but did not mention the latest suspension.

Police declined to say when Dagher was made aware of the suspension of a fourth officer.

News of the suspension led the Opposition at City Hall to renew its calls for an independent public inquiry into the allegations, as the campaign period for the provincial election is set to begin Thursday.

“An independent investigation must be launched to shed light on all the events. Mayor Soraya Martinez-Ferrada has not ruled it out, but what about the candidates to be premier of Quebec? Are they committed to launching an independent investigation after the election campaign?” said Ericka Alneus, interim leader of opposition party Projet Montréal, in a news release.

She added that the allegations have “deeply shaken” public trust in the police force. 

Montreal police are conducting an internal investigation. Internal Security Minister Ian Lafrenière has appointed an independent observer to oversee that investigation.

The police ethics commissioner is also investigating the events at Lafrenière’s request. The probe is separate from the police force’s investigation. 

Last week, Martinez Ferrada and Dagher announced that the city wants to begin rolling out body cameras for police officers within a year to increase public security and rebuild trust. 

In her requests to the next Quebec government, which were made public Wednesday, Martinez Ferrada asked for more money for the city’s police budget, including for the cameras. The city also says it wants to hire an additional 225 police officers per year.

A document made public on Monday shows Montreal police is projected to go over budget by $67 million this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.