Black employees of the Montreal police force have sent a letter to management saying some have concerns about going to work after the dismantling of a patrol unit over serious allegations of racist misconduct.
The letter — sent by the Regroupement des Employés Noirs et Afro-descendants du SPVM (RENA) — was dated June 14, two days after senior police officials held a late evening news conference announcing they had suspended two officers and reassigned 14 others over allegations of racism.
SPVM Chief Fady Dagher said on June 12 that the investigation began in March after information was provided by fellow officers.
The Black employees say they’ve been told about efforts to identify whistleblowers in some units and that they are afraid of reprisals for having the “courage to denounce disgraceful conduct.”
CityNews has reviewed a copy of the internal letter, which was sent to the police service’s deputy director Marc Charbonneau.
“RENA wishes to reiterate that the psychological health and safety of employees must be an absolute priority,” the letter reads. “Existing mechanisms, while useful, are insufficient if the fear of reprisals persists.
“Although a whistleblowing hotline for employees has been established, we observe that this tool alone is not enough to create a climate of trust for all the employees involved. When speaking out and taking a stand becomes risky, it becomes necessary to strengthen the protection mechanisms.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada confirmed to CityNews the mayor is aware of the letter and “a meeting will be organized as soon as possible.”
The director of racial profiling and public safety at the Red Coalition, an anti-racism organization, called the letter “concerning.”
“We need to make sure that they’re protected and their voices are heard and that the organization be put in check in terms of, ‘we know about it and we want to make sure that these folks are provided appropriate protection,’” Alain Babineau said.
