The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is calling for the investigation into allegations of racism at the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) to be conducted independently by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
In a press release issued Monday, Liberal MNA Jennifer Maccarone and Madwa-Nika Cadet called on the government to entrust the investigation to the SQ, arguing that it would be appropriate for such an investigation to be conducted by an external police force.
In their view, “allowing the SPVM to investigate its own members in a case of this nature would not meet the public’s expectations for transparency and independence.”
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In their opinion, the information revealed in recent days “undermines public confidence in the police institution.” Therefore, the situation must be examined “objectively, free from any appearance of a conflict of interest,” they argued.
On Friday evening, SPVM chief Fady Dagher announced that two officers from Precinct 39 had been suspended following allegations of discriminatory and racist behavior toward residents of Montréal-Nord.
These two officers could face criminal charges. Their case is currently being reviewed by the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).
Dagher specified that 14 other officers from the same station had been transferred or reassigned to duties that do not require any contact with the public.
Several media outlets have reported certain details, including that police officers allegedly cut the hair of people of color to use it as “trophies.” Dagher stated at a press conference that this was “part of the allegations.”
According to Cadet, the Member of the National Assembly for Bourassa-Sauvé, “the public needs assurance that a truly independent and impartial investigation will be conducted” regarding these allegations.
“This is an essential condition for demonstrating our zero-tolerance stance toward racism and for ensuring that all citizens feel respected and safe,” she argued in a written statement.
During his press conference on Friday, Dagher indicated that the SPVM’s investigation into the allegations was ongoing, but that the information already corroborated by the police force was sufficient to justify an initial set of measures.
Shortly thereafter, on social media, Minister of Internal Security Ian Lafrenière stated that he had “confidence in the investigations being conducted.”
“I will be following this case very closely and ensuring that everything is put in place to shed light on the events,” he assured.
Les gestes allégués sont complètement inacceptables et choquants. Les policiers sont là pour protéger et servir les citoyens. J’ai parlé avec la mairesse @SorayaMartinezF et le directeur du @SPVM ce soir, et j’ai offert notre soutien.Ce qui me rassure, c’est que ce sont des…
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
