Brutality, Racism Allegations Deepen Trust Gap After Years of Complaints in Montreal

Years after community members in Montreal voiced concerns about police brutality and racial profiling, a deep trust gap persists, exacerbated by recent revelations of misconduct within the police force. A meeting over a decade ago, intended to foster dialogue and accountability, now serves as a stark reminder of unfulfilled promises.

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It was a good meeting. He had promised to investigate and ensure that kind of behaviour wouldn’t happen anymore, because it was unacceptable.

Frantz Jean-Jacques, a former community support worker, recalled a hopeful meeting in 2015 with a police station commander. He, along with other local residents and young men, presented troubling accounts of their interactions with police, demanding action against brutality and racial profiling. The commander pledged to investigate and prevent future misconduct, but for many, the experience of being targeted by police has continued.

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They were being told (by police) to tell their friends what happened, as a warning.

Jean-Jacques shared that some young men reported being explicitly warned by officers to tell their friends about their experiences, a tactic he believes discourages formal complaints. He initiated the 2015 meeting after sending the police a letter accompanied by photos of a young Black man who alleged he was beaten by officers. Despite the passage of time and the initial meeting, the man featured in those photos, now 39, stated he has continued to face police targeting.

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That tells you everything. That’s why young people are discouraged from filing complaints. Sometimes, the police seem to take the complaints, but that’s as far as it goes.

These long-standing issues have resurfaced following Montreal's police chief, Fady Dagher's, announcement in mid-June that a 16-member patrol unit in the neighborhood was disbanded due to serious allegations of racism, discrimination, and misconduct. Dagher expressed profound shock, stating such behavior is unacceptable within the force. Two officers have been suspended and may face criminal charges, while the remaining 14 have been reassigned. The police are also investigating reports of other alleged misconduct by officers in the unit.

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I am profoundly shocked.