Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher acknowledges experiencing racial profiling from different perspectives, both as a victim and a perpetrator. During the 1990s, while serving with the Montreal police anti-gang squad, Dagher confesses to racially profiling individuals. However, a transformative conversation with a street-gang member prompted him to reevaluate his approach.
Additionally, Dagher reveals instances where he was subjected to racial profiling following the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, particularly during his travels through airports in Canada and abroad.
Born in Ivory Coast to parents of Lebanese descent, Dagher holds the distinction of being the first racialized individual to lead the Montreal police force. His reflections on racial profiling come in the wake of a public meeting where he faced scrutiny from residents regarding a racism and misconduct scandal at a local police station.
The revelations resulted in Montreal police disbanding a 16-member patrol unit at the Montréal-Nord station in June, with three officers from the unit facing suspension due to allegations stemming from two separate incidents involving two complainants.
