Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada reacted with dismay to allegations of discriminatory, hateful and racist behaviour by police officers of the Montreal Police (SPVM) in the Montreal North borough.
Ferrada called the allegations “extremely disturbing” and said trust between police and citizens has been shaken.
In a press conference at City Hall on Saturday morning, she indicated that she had discussed it with the Deputy Premier and Minister of Internal Security, Ian Lafrenière, in particular to advance the project on the wearing of body surveillance cameras integrated into the uniform of SPVM police officers.
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According to Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, “systemic racism exists” and it must be spoken about openly to find ways to correct the situation. She finds comfort in the fact that it was fellow police officers who denounced the situation.
On Friday, La Presse and Radio-Canada reported that officers cut the hair of racialized citizens to turn it into “trophies,” among other allegations.
Ferrada says she and Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière have agreed to ramp up deployment of body cameras at Montreal’s police force.
Premier Christine Fréchette also expressed great concern.
“The alleged actions, if confirmed, are incompatible with the values of respect and integrity that must guide the actions of all our police forces (…) It is essential that the full truth be revealed quickly about this situation and that appropriate measures be applied,” his message on the social network X, published late Friday evening, stated.
Les informations rapportées sont extrêmement préoccupantes. Les gestes allégués, s’ils sont confirmés, sont incompatibles avec les valeurs de respect et d’intégrité qui doivent guider l’action de tous nos corps policiers.Je prends acte des mesures déjà mises en place par la… https://t.co/9e9ry65eiA
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
